The Jay G. Lawrence Foundation: Giving While Remembering
It is often said that the greatest tragedy in life for parents is outliving their children. They are robbed of the opportunity to watch them grow up, find their true love, build a family and a career, raise their own children, and so much more. They also lose the chance to continue a family lineage that could extend for many generations.
The one consolation that may give grieving families some peace of mind are the memories they are left with. They become more cherished as the years pass because those who passed on will never be forgotten.
Many times, families will do sonething in hopes of raising money and awareness to a particular cause and/or to pay tribute a life cut far too short.
The Jay G. Lawrence Foundation in Smithfield is one such story. It is named for a Smithfield resident who was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2001. Jay was a stand-out hockey player who earned All-State Honors twice during high school. He attended the University of Rhode Island and had a bright future until one night changed everything for him, his family, and those who knew him.
Rather than just wallow in the tears, the Lawrence family and their colleagues decided to memorialize Jay by establishing this Foundation. Their goal is raising money to help provide scholarships to Smithfield High School seniors who want continue on to either a trade or a college degree.
Board Member Peter Lawrence, who is Jay’s brother, said doing this is more than simply giving back to the community that meant so much to Jay. It provides purpose and fulfilment for the board members and a positive influence for average students to expand their horizons and become professional people of character.
“The scholarships we award are primarily given to middle-class students who may not have the resources to obtain grants, scholarships, and other monies to continue their education,” Peter said. “Jay was an average student who knew what he wanted to do in life—work with his hands. These opportunities are not always available to students. Our hope in creating the Foundation is to reach other students who need a helping hand.”
Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the number or applications submitted and the amount available to distribute. The Foundation awards an average of 10 scholarships annually.
Another way the Foundation pays tribute to those who passed away too early is through The Smithfield Youth Memorial at Deerfield Park. Three-dozen names are memorialized of those who died before the age of 30. In early December, there is tree lighting ceremony to remember our loved ones and comfort each other during a very difficult season. They read each of the names of those who passed as a Navy bell rings in their memory.
Lawrence said families are moved by the gesture.
“Some families are stricken with grief, but they will attend this service to hear their loved one’s name,” he said. “It’s a way for us to never forget them and the lives they led before their untimely passings.”
Since it’s inception in 2001, The Jay G. Lawrence Foundation has raised nearly $350,000 to local students in need. They host various events to help share the wealth.
The Foundation will host a New England Patriots Watch Party at The Last Resort in Smithfield on Sunday October 4, beginning at noon. For a $20 admission fee, patrons can enjoy complementary pizza from 1:00-2:00 PM,, order other items from their menu, enter raffles for some great prizes, watch the Patriots versus The Buffalo Bills, and support their efforts.
Lawrence hopes the community will turn out for this family-friendly event.
“The Patriots will face The Bills at 1 PM. We hope that you will come see us, have some fun with friends and neighbors, and maybe walk away with a great door prize,” he said.
A lifelong resident of Smithfield, Jay Lawrence was a beloved student-athlete who served as Captain of the Hockey Team, and was considered by all to be a warm, witty, kind, and charismatic member of the student body during his four years at Smithfield High School. Jay was also twice named to Rhode Island's All-State Hockey Team (1996, 1997).
In 2001, during his Junior year at The University of Rhode Island, Jay was the victim of a devastating motor vehicle accident, breaking the hearts of all those who enjoyed the blessing of knowing his vibrant, loving, generous soul.
In 2002, Jay’s grandfather, George Sutcliffe, along with numerous friends and family, created The Jay G. Lawrence Foundation. The Foundation raises money to support community members in need, offer medical and home assistance to locals, and most significantly, has contributed over $345,000 in scholarships to student and athletes at Smithfield High School.
For more information about the Foundation and its upcoming events, please contact Peter Lawrence at 401-726-3210 or at peter@lawrenceagencyinc.com