STATESVILLE, N.C. (August 4, 2011) - Front Row Motorsports will once again bring positive attention in light of tragedy during the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. The team announced today that it will bring awareness to the Jenni-Lyn Watson Memorial Fund by placing its logo on the C-Post (upper, rear side) of the No. 38 Ford driven by two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Terry Labonte at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International during the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips race weekend. The team hopes to bring awareness to the fund that was formed by her family after the 20-year-old college student from Central New York was tragically murdered last November.
The car will also carry the website www.cnycf.org/watson below the decal to remind Central New York race fans to visit and donate to the memorial fund. The fund will be used to create opportunities for local children and teens that have a passion for the art of dance but cannot afford specialized training. Before she began attending Mercyhurst College as a dance major, Watson participated in many Central New York productions including The Nutcracker with the Syracuse Symphony and Adventures of Rudolph sponsored by the Syracuse Cultural Resources. She loved dance and the arts for as long as her parents can remember. Just recently Margaret Moreno, a high school senior, was named the first recipient of the Jenni-Lyn Watson Memorial Scholarship, which she used to attend the prestigious Syracuse University Summer Dance Intensive program this summer.
"Our family continues to be overwhelmed by everyone who continues to support Jenni-Lyn," commented David Watson, Jenni-Lyn's father. "This is just another example of the outpouring that we receive from unexpected places. We're just grateful and thankful for everyone who wants to see Jenni-Lyn's name, love and passion live on."
This is not the first time the team has given back to communities or individuals who have suffered tragedy. Earlier this year the team partnered with the Wes Leonard Heart Team and Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the Michigan International Speedway to raise awareness for sudden cardiac arrest.
"Giving back or reaching out to raise awareness is something really important that we do as a race team," said Bob Jenkins, team owner. "This tragedy involving such a young person is devastating in so many ways. Carrying the decal will hopefully raise some awareness and funds in the memory of Jenni-Lyn Watson."
fans may donate to the Jenni-Lyn Watson Memorial Fund by visiting the website. Secure credit card donations may be processed online. Checks, made out to the Jenni-Lyn Watson Memorial Fund, can also be mailed to the Central New York Community Foundation, 431 East Fayette Street, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13202. Contact Jennifer Owens at 315.422.9538 or JOwens@cnycf.org to arrange for donations of other assets.
