Lil Tug Celebrity Tractor Raises Over a Half-Million Dollars
Winner of the auction with Ken Fisher, President of Fisher House, Ken's son and Jay Leno
Tractor Signed by President George W. Bush; Proceeds Help Military Families
Taking the wheel of his New Holland Boomer™ compact tractor for the last time, Jay Leno drove the tractor nicknamed the ‘Lil Tug onto the auction block at the 41st Annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction this weekend, and in a matter of minutes, raised over a half million dollars to support veterans and their families.
One hundred percent of the winning bid of $535,000 will benefit the Fisher House Foundation,, which constructs comfort homes to provide free temporary housing to the families of service members receiving medical care at V.A. and military hospitals around the world.
The ‘Lil Tug is no ordinary tractor. Not only did it work in Jay Leno’s Garage for nearly five years, pulling and positioning Leno’s array of collector vehicles, it also bore the signature of George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States of America and a staunch supporter of America’s military and their families.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have sacrificed to serve our country,” says New Holland Vice President Abe Hughes, “and we’re honored to play a part in this effort to support veterans and their families.”
“This is one of the greatest charities because 100% of the money goes to helping veterans,” said Jay Leno. “I’ve visited a Fisher House in California, and I can tell you they make the families really feel special. That’s why I’m donating my tractor. It’s a small price to pay. If I can give back by doing something like this, it makes me feel great.”
“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 and 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.
0‘Lil Tug Brings $535,000 to Fisher House from Barrett-Jackson Auction!
Jay Leno and 'Lil Tug at Barrett-Jackson Auction
Lil Tug, the celebrityNew Holland Boomer tractor that lived in Jay Leno’s garage for the past 5 years brought $535,000 to support the Fisher House Foundation at the Barrett-Jackson Auction last night (January 21) . For more photos of the evening see the Photo Gallery in the Press section of this website.
0President George W. Bush Signs ‘Lil Tug
President George W. Bush signed ‘Lil Tug at the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas on October 28, 2011. ‘Lil Tug is being auctioned at the famed Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona with proceeds to benefit the Fisher House. For more information about Barrett-Jackson or the auction of ‘Lil Tug, please click here.
0George W. Bush Autographs ‘Lil Tug to Support Veterans
Former U.S. President George W. Bush has signed his autograph on the hood of the soon-to-be auctioned ‘Lil Tug compact tractor in support of veterans. Funds raised for the January 21, 2012 Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona will support the Fisher House Foundation, best known for its network of homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers where families can stay while their loved ones are receiving treatment.
“The significance of President Bush’s signature on this celebrity tractor cannot be overstated,” said New Holland Vice President Abe Hughes, who traveled to the Bush Ranch in Crawford, Texas to witness the signing. “It’s a continuation of his ongoing support for veterans since he left office in 2008 and I’m certain it is going to be well-received when ‘Lil Tug is driven onto the auction block.”
The tractor earned its celebrity status when it was officially named ‘Lil Tug by the crew at Jay Leno’s Garage, where since 2007 it has been used as needed to service or reposition many of Leno’s vast collection of vehicles. Leno also autographed ‘Lil Tug.
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Watch the ‘Lil Tug Auction Live on SPEED TV
On January 21, 2012, ‘Lil Tug will be auctioned at the famed Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The auction will be televised LIVE on SPEED TV.
‘Lil Tug is scheduled to go on the auction block at approximately 7:30p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
According to Barrett-Jackson, the event offers something for everyone, and this year’s annual auction event promises to “offer an experience for the entire family unlike any in years past with the expansion of the Lifestyle Pavilion, a massive exhibition area full of events, displays and fashions designed to appeal to the entire family.”
In addition to ‘Lil Tug, New Holland will have a number of specially decaled Rustler utility vehicles on site for use by the Barrett-Jackson staff and to transport VIPs throughout the event.
0New Holland VP Interviewed
Abe Hughes, Vice President, New Holland Agricultural Business– North America, was recently interviewed by Clinton Griffith of AgDay TV at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. The interview appeared on the Machinery Minute segment of the November 16th AgDay TV show. You can see the interview at the New Holland YouTube Site.
During the interview Hughes discussed the upcoming January auction of Lil Tug, the Celebrity Tractor, to benefit Fisher House and the True Blue Salute program. New Holland announced the program November 10th to provide $300 veteran discounts on the sale Boomer compact tractors and a $100 donation to Fisher House for all Boomer compact tractors settled between November 11, 2011 and January 21, 2012.
0Veterans Program Launches
We are pleased to see that a number of veterans took advantage of the True Blue Salute discount on the Boomer Compact Tractors during the first week of the program. Remember, the veterans program is in addition to a free loader or special financing (0% for 60 months) —see your authorized New Holland dealer for details, exclusions and to see if you qualify.
Hurry, the free loader or finance deal ends November 30th, but the veterans discount will continue through January 21, 2012.
0New Holland Announces True Blue Salute Program To Support Vets
New Holland Agriculture announced November 10, 2011, that effective on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011 and continuing through January 21, 2012, it will offer U.S veterans and military personnel a $300 discount on the purchase of New Holland Boomer™ compact tractor models 30, 35, 40 or 50 purchased in North America. New Holland will also donate $100 to the Fisher House Foundation for every Boomer compact tractor sold in North America during the discount period.
The New Holland discount/contribution initiative is designed to coincide with a previously announced program involving a New Holland tractor, nicknamed the ’Lil Tug by the crew at the famed Jay Leno Garage, the tractor’s home for the last five years. New Holland and Jay Leno have spearheaded the program that will see the ‘Lil Tug auctioned for charity at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 21, 2012. Proceeds from the tractor auction will go to the Fisher House Foundation.
“This discount and contribution program will further enhance the charitable efforts accomplished by the Fisher House Foundation,” said Abe Hughes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for New Holland Agricultural Business in North America. “Agriculture has always been one of the backbones of America and it is very fitting that our industry steps forward once again to contribute to not only the courageous members of the Armed Forces, but also to a great role being taken by the Fisher House Foundation.”
Interview with Abe Hughes 11/10/11 at NAFB (MP3 -1Mb Courtesy Chuck Zimmerman, AgWired)
0Welcome
Welcome to your one stop home for information about the continuing adventures of Jay Leno’s ‘Lil Tug, Celebrity Tractor, as it heads toward the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona , to benefit Fisher House as well as the newly announced True Blue Salute program from New Holland Agriculture, North America in support of US military veterans and the Fisher House.
No one could have predicted the path the little TC34DA Boomer™ Compact Tractor was to take when it arrived at the Jay Leno Garage four years ago. Fate has smiled on the little Boomer. After a happy life working in the garage for the tractor known as ‘Lil Tug, a decision was made to retire the tractor. But disrepair or scrap was not to be ‘Lil Tug’s fate. ‘Lil Tug would be called to serve a greater purpose. It was decided that ‘Lil Tug would honor those who served their country. He would be auctioned at the famous Barrett-Jackson Auction Company to benefit the Fisher House, a program that recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
‘Lil Tug’s journey to the auction will be what you might expect for a Celebrity Tractor—there will be stops along the way—places to see and people to visit and this blog will keep you up to date on the continuing adventures of ‘Lil Tug, Celebrity Tractor.
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