By Karen E.
Butler, Vice President of Communications, National MS Society,
Help a neighbor. Fight
for a cause. Love your family. Since July when Dr. William Petit, in the face of
inconceivable loss, first uttered these simple but compelling statements, young
and old across the state have stepped up to make a difference offering a hand in
a time of need, advocating for those bruised and broken, embracing loved ones
more often and most of all, honoring with meaningful deeds the memory of three
women, Jennifer, Hayley and Michaela the embodiment of compassion and
charity.
Now, three
"We can never fill
their shoes," said Jamie Erickson, 15, who, along with Elizabeth Thompson, 13,
and younger sister Kathryn, 11, first came to know Hayley and Michaela through
activities at their church, Cheshire United Methodist. "But it’s an honor to
work for something for which they were so passionate."
In July, the three
girls established the Precious Petits Walk MS team, a team to honor the memory
and work of Hayley and Michaela Petit. Soon after her mother Jennifer was
diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), Hayley, then just nine years old, formed
a walk team to raise funds to help find a cure for a disease threatening to rob
mobility and independence from the mom she loved.
Over the course of the
next eight years, her team,Hayley’s Hope, raised more than $55,000 and was
named among the top fundraising teams multiple years. Hayley, who would have
attended
"We saw the impact
Hayley and Michaela had on the lives of others," said Kathryn. "We see now this
impact is lasting. We have an opportunity to carry it on."
More than 6,000
"We believe we can
raise a lot of money to help in the fight against multiple sclerosis because of
the community and its love for the girls," said Jamie enthusiastically.
"Everyone wants to be a part of honoring their memory. Most are eager to fight
for a cause to make a difference."
Elizabeth, who hopes
someday to become a teacher, wants to keep the sisters’ dream alive through the
Precious Petits Walk MS team.
"They were involved in
the walk event to help find a cure for their mom and others," she said. "They
didn’t do it for attention or accolades. They did everything with love. That’s
what inspires me most. Hayley and Michaela had big
hearts."
According to a report
published in the 1990s, 59 percent of teenagers, ages 12 to 17, were involved in
volunteerism. These 13.3 million teen volunteers gave an estimated 3.5 hours per
week, totaling 2.4 billion hours of volunteer time. In the 1990s, 41 percent of
teens contributed to charitable organizations. Altruistic teens continued to
increase giving throughout the ‘90s, contributing an average of $80 a year to
charity.
According to the same
report, altruistic teens increase their knowledge of their communities and the
challenges faced therein. These teens have an opportunity to shape society and
make a difference.
"Michaela always saw
the best in others," said
At a Connecticut
Chapter event in November, Dr. Petit shared with those in attendance a saying
from Mahatma Gandhi which Michaela embraced and revered.
"‘You must be the
change you want to see in the world,’" he shared, having found the quote neatly
preserved on his daughter’s Facebook Page.
If true change results
from exemplifying the change you wish to see, then these three teens, armed with
faith and good works, will surely make their mark on their community and in the
fight against multiple sclerosis. They indeed put faith into action and answer
the call to carry on the works of Jennifer, Hayley and
Michaela.
In 2007, the walk
event raised more than $1.1 million. The chapter hopes to raise more than $1.5
in 2008. The 2008 Travelers Walk MS will be held at 11 sites statewide on
Sunday, May 4. Sites include:
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The Travelers Walk MS
will also take place at the
To learn more about
the Travelers Walk MS or to pre-register, please visit www.ctfightsMS.org.
To join or pledge to the Precious Petits Walk MS team, please go towww.ctfightsMS.org.
To contact the team, please e-mail preciouspetits@yahoo.com. Learn more about
multiple sclerosis, its effects and programs and services offered by the chapter
to those living with the disease by e-mailing programs@ctfightsMS.org or visitingwww.ctfightsMS.org.
12/28/07
CUTLINE: Jamie
Erickson, 15, shares some of the more lighthearted details of her school day
with her Precious Petits teammates Kathryn Thompson, 11; and Elizabeth Thompson,
13, at a November National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter awards banquet held
at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville, Conn. In July, the trio formed a Walk MS team
to honor the memory and works of Jennifer Petit and her daughters Hayley and
Michaela.
Photographs courtesy
of www.creativecapturesofCT.com.