The Miami, Florida, based Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis has teamed up with NASCAR driver Tim George, Jr. to develop a program making use of his racing career to raise funds and awareness toward developing a cure for paralysis, according to an unofficial NASCAR blog.
Tim George, Jr., a graduate of University of Miami, has risen in the NASCAR ranks ever since he first developed an interest in racing while at UM. George sought out a way to fuse his work with the University and his racing career, which came to fruition in the recent partnership.
The benefits of the partnership began to roll in during the Rolex 24 at Daytona that took place on January 30 and 31. George’s car was decorated in UM colors during the race. The Buoniconti Fund had prime logo placement on the driver’s side door. All of George’s prize money and licensing royalties from the Rolex 24 race were dedicated to the Fund, according to the article. A Staggered Special article reported that, ‘Bobby Labonte and Tim George, Jr. helped pilot their TRG Porsche GT3 to a 16th place finish.’
The Buoniconti fund has worked with many celebrities, including NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace. The article noted that he, ‘was a 2009 Great Sports Legend Honoree at their 25th annual dinner, and Marc took some laps with Grand-Am driver Wayne Taylor in a Daytona Prototype two-seater in October 2009.’
The Buonconti Fund was founded in 1985 by NFL linebacker Nick Buonconti after his son Marc sustained a spinal cord injury while playing football in college. Marc said of the new partnership, ‘The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis is excited to be a part of the Tim George, Jr. Race Team. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord injury research and help get people out of their wheelchairs,’ according to the blog post.
References:
Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. (February 4, 2010) ‘The Fundraising Arm of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.’ Retrieved on February 4, 2010 from the Miami Project Web site:http://www.miamiproject.miami.edu/Page.aspx?pid=201
Judson. (January 31, 2010) ‘How Did Your Favorite NASCAR Driver Fair in the Rolex 24?’ Retrieved on February 4, 2010 from the Staggered Special Web site:http://staggeredspecial.com/2010/how-did-your-favorite-nascar-driver-fai…
NASCAR Press Release. (January 30, 2010) ‘Partnership Comes Together in Time.’ Retrieved on February 2, 2010 from the NASCAR Ranting and Raving Web site:http://www.4ever3blog.com/2010/1/30/1284517/partnership-comes-together-i…