W. Cary Edwards Foundation to hold 'Racing for Education' Fundraiser Sept. 19

The W. Cary Edwards Foundation, based out of Oakland, NJ, will host a fundraiser called “Racing for Education” on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Meadowland’s Race Track in East Rutherford. The event will start at 7 p.m. and will include a cocktail hour and dinner.

Tickets are available at info@wcaryedwards.org.

The foundation was created in honor of the former New Jersey Attorney General and chairman of the State Commission of Investigation with the mission of enhancing, enriching and supporting New Jersey’s young people through education and has been raising money for scholarships and grants at all educational levels.

Edwards passed away on Oct. 20, 2010 at age 66. To honor his impressive legacy of public service, his wife and children created a foundation that reflects Edwards’ commitment to expanding educational opportunities.

“My father recognized the importance of education in his own life and how fortunate he was to have scholarships opportunities that allowed him to earn his undergraduate and law school degrees. He believed that people of modest means should not be denied the opportunity to pursue education and improve their lives,” said his daughter Marcy Edwards Benner.

“It is in honor of his legacy to public service and his devotion to education that we began the W. Cary Edwards Foundation,” she added.

Edwards was born July 20, 1944 in Ridgewood and grew up in East Paterson (now Elmwood Park). He graduated from St. Luke’s High School in Ho-Ho-Kus and went on to study business administration a Seton Hall University, where he graduated in 1967. He received his law degree from the Seton Hall University School of Law in 1970.

In 1977 he was elected to the N.J. General Assembly and served three terms in the legislature. He resigned from the legislature when Gov. Thomas H. Kean selected him to serve as Chief Counsel to the governor.

In 1986 Edwards was nominated by Gov. Kean to be Attorney General of the State of New Jersey, where he served with distinction until 1989.

In 1997 he was appointed by Gov. Christine Whitman to be a commissioner of the State Commission of Investigation (“SCI”) an independent fact-finding agency whose mission is to expose organized crime, public corruption, and waste and to recommend reforms for the benefit of New Jersey residents. In 2004 Edwards was named chairman of the SCI by Acting Governor Richard J. Codey.

For more information about the foundation fundraiser please email info@wcaryedwards.org or visit the website at www.wcaryedwards.org.