The Watkins Glen International R.A.C.E. Foundation made a sizeable impact on the community in 2018, contributing a grand total of $266,081 in area donations to local youth non-profit groups through grants, donations, and in-kind donations throughout the season.
“The Racing and Community Enrichment Foundation was founded on the principle of doing good and giving back to the area,” Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup. “We are all proud to live in this community, and it’s great to see these funds going to such deserving programs, benefitting youth in our region.”
The Foundation made an impact from the start of the 2018 season as proceeds from Opening Weekend in April helped purchase a new wheelchair for West Leyden, New York native and track ambassador, Ryan Berwick. The chair helped him stand at his graduation from Adirondack Central School in June.
In August, WGI donated $10,000 to help aid The Dale Jr. Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Driven to Give Gloves program featuring race-worn autographed gloves of the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series drivers from Go Bowling at The Glen. The proceeds benefited the Dale and Amy Earnhardt Fund at Nationwide Children’s Hospital supporting the hospital’s efforts in pediatric injury rehabilitation, research and prevention.
The R.A.C.E. Foundation also contributed over $60,000 to local non-profits organizations and the WGI staff volunteered over 200 hours in community service. Out of the donations, $4,000 went to Watkins Glen Central School District to help pay off balances of school lunches for students. Meals on Wheels Chemung County used its $6,000 donation towards a tilting skillet, and $4,000 went to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier for its Kids Farmer’s Market.
The mission of R.A.C.E. is to meet the needs of local underserved populations with a focus on youth-oriented support. The foundation uses a backing of a close-knit community to foster meaningful fundraising efforts, while leaning on support from the international racing family. More information on the foundation is available at www.TheGlen.com.
Watkins Glen International PR
