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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2015
Contact: David Rivera
860-645-4034, Ext. 301
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ORGANIZATION
TO HONOR DR. WILLIAM PETIT
HARTFORD – Interval House, the state’s largest domestic violence organization, will present its 3rd Breakfast with
Champions Award to Dr. William A. Petit, Jr. at the Riverview in Simsbury on April 2, 2015.
The 7:30am ceremony honors Petit for being a role model, leader and ardent friend to Interval House, said Eric
Daniels, and Paul Schlickmann, co-chairmen of the event and members of Interval House's Men Make a Difference,
Men Against Domestic Violence™. Daniels is a senior partner with Robinson & Cole and Schlickmann is the
director of athletics at Central Connecticut State University.
“Dr. Petit is truly deserving of this special award,” Daniels said. “He has been an active supporter of Interval House
and its mission and an inspirational leader of the men's group. He’s a model for all of us to emulate.”
“Ernest Hemingway once said a true mark of a man’s character is evidenced by the manner in which he acts with
grace under pressure,” Schlickmann said paraphrasing the great American novelist. “Dr. Petit has done so in
remarkable fashion in the face of extreme personal adversity and selflessly devoted his efforts to help others.
Congratulations to him for this well-deserved honor.”
Petit has been involved with Interval House since 2010, the year he joined the Men Make a Difference, Men Against
Domestic Violence™ initiative.
He is president and chairman of the board of the Petit Family Foundation, the nonprofit organization formed after the
tragic deaths of his wife, Jennifer Lynn Hawke-Petit, and daughters, Hayley and Michaela. The Petit Family
Foundation honors their memories by continuing the kindness, idealism and activism that defined their lives. The
Foundation's funds are given to foster the education of young people, especially women in the sciences; to improve
the lives of those affected by chronic illnesses; and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence.
Petit is the third recipient of Interval House's Breakfast with Champions Award, joining distinguished past honorees:
US Senator Richard Blumenthal, and CCSU Men’s Head Basketball Coach Howard Dickenman.
“Dr. Petit is a tireless advocate for survivors of domestic violence -- indeed all victims of violence,” Blumenthal
said. “Having worked alongside Dr. Petit for many years, I can say without hesitation that he richly deserves this
honor.”
Since 1977, Interval House has served victims of domestic violence – mostly women and children who were
psychologically or physically battered by their partner. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing services
to prevent and break the cycle of family and intimate partner violence and abuse. Since it was founded, Interval
House has provided services to more than 200,000 people.
Tickets for the breakfast are $20 each and can be purchased by calling 860-246-9149, Ext. 337. Or they can be
purchased on-line at Interval house’s website: www.intervalhousect.org. Thanks to the generosity of the Riverview’s
owners -- John Royce and Thomas Monteque -- ticket costs are tax deductible.
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