On Saturday, May 18, 2024, Graff Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Rockford and Herman’s Boy of Rockford will co-host their National Jeep “Go Topless” Day event with a fundraiser for Saving Souls Pet Alliance Inc pet rescue.
Go Topless Day is a Jeep “holiday” that was established in 2008 by All Things Jeep but has grown to have events all over the world. It takes place on the third Saturday of May as a way for Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator owners to celebrate the start of summer by removing the tops of their Jeeps. This is the third annual event sponsored by Graff Rockford where Jeepers are encouraged to “take their tops off but leave their shirts on!”
“Our Go Topless event started as a way to get to know our Jeep customers,” says Lon Keely Managing Partner of Graff Rockford. “Since we always look to act as a good neighbor in our community and know the Jeep community is a special group also with a strong sense of community, we decided to add a fundraising element to support the good work of a local non-profit.” This year’s non-profit beneficiary is Saving Souls Pet Alliance, Inc.
Saving Souls Pet Alliance Inc pulls dogs and cats from high-kill shelters across the state as well as assists in rehoming pets facing homelessness. Saving Souls works to get much needed veterinary care and even assists with training that many dogs are lacking. Dogs and cats are housed not in a stressful, packed shelter but in the homes of a caring team of foster “pet-parents” who work with the organization to find them loving fur-ever homes.
On May 18th – Jeep Wrangler and Gladiators will line up at noon at Graff Rockford for door prizes and photo ops with the Rockford Rotary’s 40’ tall “Big Daddy” of ducks then parade to Herman’s Boy to join Grillapalooza. “We are partnering with Herman’s Boy because last year both events were on the same day. Bryan, who is a Jeep Wrangler owner and enthusiast couldn’t attend ours, and we couldn’t attend his, so when he reached out about joining up, it was a no-brainer,” says Lon.
There are only 50 spots open for Graff’s “Go Topless” event. Registration is available at https://www.graffcdjr.com/graff-go-topless-event.htm . Each Jeep that registers will be asked to make a minimum $10 donation to Saving Souls. Registration will include: photo ops with “Big Daddy” duck; participation in the Jeep parade; VIP parking and lunch at Herman’s Boy; participation in the Jeep show; and a swag bag with Jeep merchandise, a $20 Graff Cash coupon, a bag of coffee and $10 gift card to Herman’s Boy, a coupon for wine tastings for two at St. Julian’s Rockford tasting room, and other items donated by local businesses. Grillapalooza is open to the public and runs from 11 to 4 pm. There will be grilling demonstrations using the Big Green Egg, tasty food, a silent auction benefitting Saving Souls, and a meet-and-greet of some of the adoptable pets. Grillapalooza at Herman’s Boy is open to the public.
