AVS student helps a cause that grew out of tragedy

Nevan M. Richard is a sophomore enjoying his animal veterinary science courses at URI, but on the recent spring break, he couldn't resist helping a cause that sprung out of one of the most horrific crimes that happened near his Connecticut home.

Richard's hometown is Cheshire, Conn., where two men entered the home of Dr. William A. Petit Jr. early one morning last year. A seven-hour assault and kidnapping ordeal followed and ended with the killing of Dr. Petit's wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters, aged 17 and 11. Dr. Petit himself was beaten and bound and held in the basement before escaping, too late to save his family.

Hayley was the 17-year-old and her best friend was Meg Alexander, former high school girlfriend of Nevan Richard. When the crimes occurred, Alexander called Richard to let him know.

The gruesome murders which made national news "devastated the town," says Richard. "We never had anything like this before," he added noting that Cheshire is a small quiet town.

The Petit Family was a staunch supporter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society ever since Mrs. Petit was diagnosed with the disease. The family helped the Connecticut chapter raise money, usually in Hayley's name.

While the trials of the two suspects are still pending, young residents of Cheshire felt that something positive had to come out of the tragedy and they decided to hold a fundraiser for the MS Society in Hayley's name.

One day before spring break, Richard received a phone call from his former girlfriend. She asked whether he would be interested in helping with the fundraiser.

"She told me 'You'll have to get up at 7 a.m.'" recalls Richard noting that the day of the fundraiser was the first day of his spring break and an opportunity to sleep in.

Richard agreed and was put in charge of a silent auction.

He also agreed to go on local TV to promote the event which was to be a basketball tournament with an auction. He admits he was a little tongue-tied on TV.

But the tournament held at Cheshire High School went off without a hitch. Some 36 teams played and when it was all done, $10,000 was raised. The auction items included signed basketballs from the nationally-ranked UConn men's and women's basketball teams.

Richard, who is one of the URI Animal Veterinary Science students who recently won second place in an agricultural competition, stresses he was just one of about 25 persons who volunteered for the fundraiser but it was a project that brought some good out of tragedy.

And, he adds, he really did not mind missing a sleep-in on the first morning of his spring break.

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