History
The PETIT FAMILY FOUNDATION came into existence following the tragic and senseless murders of a mother and her two daughters. The mother, JENNIFER LYNN HAWKE-PETIT, had multiple sclerosis; her two daughters were HAYLEY ELIZABETH PETIT, 17, a graduate of Miss Porter’s School who was preparing for her freshman year at Dartmouth College, and MICHAELA ROSE PETIT, 11, a sixth grader at Chase Collegiate School. William A. Petit, Jr., Jennifer’s husband and the girls’ father, escaped into the basement to try to seek help while his feet were still bound after having been beaten with a baseball bat. At the public memorial service, which was graciously hosted by Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT, Dr. Petit asked those gathered to “help a neighbor, fight for a cause, and love your family” as a way to honor the memories of his family and make the world a better place to live.
This dreadful event prompted a flood of generosity from around the world. It was felt that one central fund could help streamline the donations that were pouring in. This has allowed a more direct distribution of funds to the causes that were felt would best represent the interests of and examples set by the three Petit women. On March 14, 2008, the IRS granted the Petit Family Foundation full 501c (3) status.
Ways the Petit Family Foundation Has Grown
From the outset, scores of people have volunteered to help. The Petit Family Foundation (PFF) is grateful to each and every one:
- Many close friends helped set up the PFF and ran its first golf tournament in 2007 which raised over a $100,000;
- The Heslin Brothers organized the first GE 5k Petit Family Foundation Road Race in 2008;
- Thousands of people donated money or accepted donations in lieu of wedding gifts;
- Dozens held wiffle ball tournaments or donated their time and talents in many other ways;
- Cronin & Company donated design services for the distinctive PFF logo of a mother dove enveloping the two younger doves in her wing;
- Additional funds include scholarships at Miss Porter’s School, Chase Collegiate School, and Cheshire Academy, including an annual award honoring a student who has distinguished him or herself by helping others;
- Neighbors, friends and strangers created gardens at the site of the former Petit home in Cheshire;
- Loureiro Engineering Associates built a gazebo in Norton Park in Plainville;
- Cheshire Academy created a garden surrounding the Richardson Health Center;
- A private memory garden and patio was built by Old Farms Landscaping of Granby at the Petit family home in Plainville;
- Sharon General Hospital, where Jennifer trained as a nurse, began a scholarship in her name;
- The CT Nurses Foundation began a scholarship in honor of Jennifer;
- Well-established funds have been established through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Connecticut Chapter and Hayley’s Hope;
- Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund was created to provide scholarships to students impacted by MS and to fund family and caregiver education and respite programs;
- A Hayley and Michaela Petit MS Youth Award has also been established.
Future of the Petit Family Foundation
We aim to continue raising and distributing funds to fulfill our mission. This includes providing help to educate young people (especially in the sciences), help support those with chronic illnesses, and help to protect those affected by violence. The many wonderful things inspired by the lives and memories of Jennifer, Hayley, and Michaela Petit are well known, enabling us to follow their example and help more people each year. It is nevertheless an ambitious goal, and we implore all who care to help us attain these important goals.
