With summer just around the corner, we are excited to once again come together in July to support the USO and our local troops. Now in its 12th year, the BBQ for the Troops program has been a long-standing tradition with the USO that has brought all Chicagoland dealers together for a great cause.

The program has changed and evolved over the years, and just like anything, it’s time that we update our branding and program structure to match that! This year, we are rebranding BBQ for the Troops to Drive for the Troops.

what's new this year?

1. More Flexibility in Event Planning: We have removed a specific date which all BBQ events have to take place. The summer is busy and so are your dealerships – plan an event or online fundraiser around your schedule and what makes sense for your dealership. The fundraiser will still take place all month long, throughout July, so this adds increased flexibility for planning and participating.
   
   
2. Fundraise Your Way: It’s more than barbecuing, it’s fundraising in your own style. If you still want to host a community BBQ, that’s great! But maybe a car show is more your style, or a bike-a-thon, or maybe even a 3-on-3 basketball competition? However you choose to fundraise, the money will all be going to benefit the USO.
   
   Don’t have the resources or time to host an in-person event? No problem! You can still participate through online fundraising — and be a part of the friendly competition (more on that below).
   
   
3. Rally Together for a Larger Impact: What makes this fundraiser unique is that ALL Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana dealers are rallying together to contribute to the cause. The more participants we have, the bigger the impact we can make. The CATA and our media partners will still be heavily promoting the fundraiser and area events taking place. The CATA will be investing in a market-wide campaign promoting any area events and all participating dealers through billboards, TV commercials, on-air interviews, and more.
   
   
4. A Fundraising Competition: That’s right – the stakes just got bigger. This year, the top 5 dealers with the most funds raised at the end of July will each receive a catered lunch for the entire dealership as a thank you for your efforts.
   
   Even better, the #1 fundraising dealer will earn the opportunity to host the official check presentation at their dealership on behalf of all CATA dealers. The check presentation will take place in mid-July, and we will invite all local media and TV crews out to cover the event.

Getting started - sign up now

Each participating dealer will have their own web page for fundraising. You can see the overall page here: https://p2p.onecause.com/drive2025.

All Drive for the Troops information will be listed on DriveChicago.com (exact URL to come in early June) including participating dealers, donation links and upcoming events. If you are planning to host an in-person event, please indicate so in the form linked below for your event to be listed on the website and promotional communications.  

However you choose to participate, we appreciate you being a part of this important initiative and raising crucial funds for the USO.

Sign Up

Questions? Please contact Hayley Feichter at hfeichter@drivechicago.com or 630-424-6002.