Photo by: New Holland Tractor

JAY LENO’S “LIL TUG” CELEBRITY TRACTOR FETCHES $535,000

AT Barrett-Jackson AUCTION TO BENEFIT FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION

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Tractor Also Signed by President George W. Bush; Proceeds Help Military Families

Scottsdale, AZ (January 24, 2012) – Jay Leno’s beloved “Lil Tug” Celebrity Tractor, which for the last four years has been the steward of its fellow vehicles in the Leno Garage in California, fetched $535,000 at the 41^st Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction over the weekend.  The proceeds will benefit Fisher House Foundation, which constructs comfort homes to provide free, temporary housing to the families of service members receiving medical care at VA and military hospitals around the world.

“Sometimes it’s not the injury that you see. We’ve all seen the burn victims, but a lot of guys come back psychologically scarred and they need our help,” said Jay Leno at the auction, just moments before the winning bid. “100% of this money will go to Fisher House.”

The New Holland tractor was signed by George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States of America, a staunch and vocal supporter of America’s military and their families. 

“We’re so grateful to Jay Leno for donating his prized tractor, and to President Bush for his support, to benefit the men and women who serve our great nation selflessly, as well as their families who support them and give them the strength to do a terrifically difficult job,” said Ken Fisher, Chairman & CEO of Fisher House. “Lil’ Tug was part of the Jay Leno family – and we know how important family is, especially when a loved one is recovering from injuries suffered on the battlefield. We salute Jay, Barrett-Jackson and all those who support our military families.”

“Charity work is part of our business philosophy and helping the Fisher House Foundation to raise funds for their charity is something we are happy to do,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.

About Fisher House

Fisher House Foundation is best known for the network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. The Fisher Houses are 5,000 to 16,800 square-foot homes, donated to the military and Department of Veterans Affairs, where families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment. Additionally, the Foundation ensures that families of service men and women wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan are not burdened with unnecessary expense during a time of crisis.

Located in close proximity to the medical center or hospital it serves, each Fisher House consists of between 8 and 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, spacious dining room and an inviting living room with a library and toys for children. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is no fee to stay in a Fisher House. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $182 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

Fisher House Foundation operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members. To date, Hero Miles has provided over 26,000 airline tickets to our military and their families. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.