Updated: Monday, 18
Jul 2011, 10:36 AM EDT
Published : Sunday, 17 Jul
2011, 2:52 PM EDT
·
Erin
Cox
The GE Raod Race is a
fundraiser for thr Petit Family Foundation. It's a 5K race and a 1.5 mile
fitness walk. Kids participate in a 400-meter fun run. The kids race for fun, the adult runners seem to keep in mind
that each step is in memory of a family lost.
"It's always sad but
I think the first time was like really, really sad, like devastation," volunteer
Maureen Heslin said, "and now it's more like turning over to the positive
side."
It was July 23, 2007,
when Jennifer Hawke Petit, and daughters Hayley and
Michela were killed in the
He always shows up to
this event getting handshakes, hugs, saying seeing volunteers reminds him the
community still cares.
Dr
William Petit, the survivor, said, "Just being there for someone else if you
have a friend that is hurt and in trouble sometimes all you have to do is be
there so I thought about that these people represent the presence of the greater
community."
Each year
He also says the
atmosphere has evolved from sadness to community spirit. The anniversary of the
event understood, but raising money the focus.