Posted: 10:20 AM
ET
The
foundation was created to carry on the legacies of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Hayley
Petit, and Michaela Petit, who were killed in a tragic home invasion in
2007.
Dr.
William Petit, the only survivor of the home invasion, thanked the participants
for their support as he remembered his wife and
daughters.
“The
foundation’s mission statement is to remember Jennifer, Hayley and Michaela with
idealism, activism and kindness that they stood for. You know, two women and one
little girl without a… without a bad thought in their bodies. So… what you’re
doing is the kind of thing they would have been doing on Saturday or a Sunday,"
said Dr. Petit.
According
to event organizers, proceeds from the motorcycle ride, estimated at $65,000,
will benefit a variety of causes, including programs for victims of violence,
and chronic diseases, as well as educational programs, especially for young
women in the sciences.
Before
and after the 38-mile ride from
Marybelle
Hawke, Jennifer Hawke-Petit’s mother was overwhelmed by the number of people who
took part in the event.
“Jennifer
would be shouting praises from heaven to see this kind of response that’s
happened. And the girls would not believe, you know, they would just be totally
amazed, " said Hawke.
Hawke-Petit
would have turned 52 on Sunday.
Dr.
Petit addressed the bikers a second time later in the day. He choked back
tears as he told a story about Michaela’s ability to stand up for little kids
and to include others. He was cheered on by the crowd of
well-wishers.
All
of the people that In Session spoke with at the event said they supported the
death penalty in this case. One mother said, “I used to be really liberal
and not believe one way or the other but after hearing more about the facts I
don’t think they should be given life in prison. I think they should be
sentenced to death, because they caused death.”
-Nancy
Leung, In Session Field Producer
http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/27/petit-foundations-ride-for-justice-benefits-worthy-causes/