SIMSBURY, Conn. – When the Petit Family Foundation was founded in 2007, the organization set forth the mission of honoring the memories of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Hayley Elizabeth Petit and Michaela Rose Petit by continuing the kindness, idealism and activism that defined their lives. One of the fund’s recent contributions to the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, will do that and more.
In January 2016, the Petit Family Foundation made a donation of $87,500 to the Connecticut Chapter. The Chapter then matched that contribution with funds from the Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund in order to solidify three naming opportunities in memory of the Petit women at a housing complex for those living with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities in Simsbury.
“We are most pleased to be able to offer these naming opportunities to the community and were overjoyed when we could help memorialize the Petit women in a visible way at one of the Connecticut Chapter’s greatest accomplishments, Ojakian Commons,” said Lisa Gerrol, president and CEO of the Connecticut Chapter, who spear-headed the development of the complex. “We decided to match the foundation’s gift through the Chapter’s Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund in order to ensure that each of the Petit women were memorialized in a meaningful way.”
The total of $175,000 went to naming three spaces at Ojakian Commons: the Jennifer Hawke-Petit Community Room, Hayley Petit’s Library and Michaela’s Garden. The areas were carefully selected to reflect Jennifer’s love of community, Hayley’s strong academic standing and Michaela’s love of gardening and the outdoors. These common spaces now provide all Ojakian Commons residents with opportunities to socialize, and come together as a community.
Ojakian Commons is New England’s first affordable, accessible, supportive rental apartments for people living with disabilities needing special services coordinated by the National MS Society. The apartments celebrated a grand opening in October 2015, at which the Petit family was recognized for their financial commitment.
“Working together to improve the lives of our friends and neighbors living with multiple sclerosis is possible when we come together around a worthy goal,” continued Gerrol. “The funds provided by the Petit Family Foundation not only speak to exactly what our organization’s mission is, but also cater to a community of people who can now feel safe, comfortable and at home in their new apartments.”
To learn more about the Connecticut Chapter or Ojakian Commons please visit ctfightsMS.org. To make a contribution to the Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund, visit nationalMSsociety.org/HHMMfund.
About The Hayley’s Hope & Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund
In July 2007, after the tragic loss of Jennifer, Hayley and Michaela, the Petit family established the Hayley’s Hope & Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund with the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter. The Petit women, who were beloved members of the Connecticut Chapter family, had been instrumental in helping to raise awareness and funds in the fight against multiple sclerosis. They were among the strongest fundraisers and most tireless volunteers.
Hayley captained the Walk MS Team Hayley’s Hope and had been named a top fundraiser multiple years. Hayley had planned to attend Dartmouth College in the fall of 2007, and, consequently, Michaela was already preparing to step into her big sister's shoes to head up her own walk team, Michaela's Miracle.
The locally-restricted memorial endowment fund continues their work, providing for the more than 6,500 Connecticut residents living with MS and their families. The interest and income from the fund makes available scholarships for college students who either have multiple sclerosis or have a parent with MS. The memorial fund also provides for family educational programs and programs and services related to pediatric multiple sclerosis.