Richard Jacob Rudy Memorial Car Shows held weekly at Pennings Farm Market

WARWICK, N.Y. — Warwick resident Richard Rudy was attending a technical school and working as a mechanic when his young life was cut short by a car accident in 2005.

A year later, his sister Katie decided to celebrate her brother’s life and his love for cars.

With the support of her parents, Gary and Cathy Rudy of Pine Island and other volunteers, she organized the “Richard Jacob Rudy Memorial Car Show,” in his honor.

That first successful event, one of many to be held annually at various other locations, was held at Warwick Municipal Airport.

In 2008, the Richard Jacob Rudy Memorial Fund (RJR), a not-for-profit organization, was established in memory of Richard Rudy.

The primary mission of the fund is to assist children and families in need along with local charities such as the Brian Ahearn Children’s Fund and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley. The RJR Memorial Fund also donates annually to the BOCES CTEC (Career and Technical Education) Scholarship Program.

This summer, in addition to the annual event, RJR Memorial Fund car shows are being held every Thursday evening through September at Pennings Farm Market, 161 Route 94 South in Warwick.

Proceeds from registration, donations and raffles also are used to fund the organization’s charitable donations and provide scholarships for students pursuing a career in automotive technology.

The sixth annual RJR Memorial Car Show will be held on July 21 at the Castle Fun Center in Chester.

For additional information visit www.RJRmemorial.org.