Peter French Memorial Foundation

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Peter French Memorial Foundation

The official page for the Peter French Memorial Foundation - find news, upcoming events, and fundraising possibilities

04/29/2026

As we remember Peter on this day, 24 years later, we share this video because it's a good reminder to not take yourself too seriously and to have fun. Our country, and the world at large, has become too divided and too full of hate, and it can be depressing if you let it consume you. We need carefree moments of levity, laughter, and silliness to remind ourselves that we need to enjoy the precious time we have on Earth. Pete was all about bringing people together, making everyone feel important, and having a good time while doing so. So as we chuckle about his rap career that never quite took off, we challenge everyone to do something silly or have a good laugh today to honor Pete. It'll probably brighten your day, and it might even brighten someone else's!

12/31/2025

This year, the Foundation was pleased to issue a $10,000 grant to a man living in Leominster who originally came to the US as one of the Lost Boys of Sudan in the early 2000s.

At just 11 years old, he made the thousand-mile long trek on foot from South Sudan to a refugee camp in Ethiopia to escape the Sudanese Civil War. He met his now-wife at that camp when they were teenagers, and they eventually were relocated to the US. They're now US citizens with a family of their own. He has always gone out of his way to help others, including volunteer pastoring the only Sudanese congregation in Boston. Recent serious health issues for both him and his wife have resulted in severe financial distress, including the potential foreclosure of their home.

Peter would sympathize greatly with their story of perseverance and love, and we know he's smiling that we're able to help this worthy family in his honor.

03/18/2025

Spring just days away can only mean one thing - that March Madness is officially upon us! And with that, the 22nd Annual Peter French Memorial March Madness Pool is now underway. This is our biggest fundraiser each year, as half the money goes to the Foundation (in the pool's first 21 years, we've raised just under $77,000) and the other half to the winners (we've given away over $15,000 in prize winnings the past 5 years alone, so there is much money to be won). The cost to enter is $12 per bracket and you can enter up to 5 brackets. Deadline is Thursday 3/20 at 12:15pm ET.
To participate, go to http://pfmffundraiser.weebly.com/. Last year shattered the record for number of brackets entered with 568, so we're aiming to beat that this year. Anyone can play, so please pass the word along to anyone who you think might be interested. Thank you, and enjoy the madness!

01/07/2025

We were very pleased to issue a $10,000 grant to the mother of Aidan McElhinney. Aidan is a 19-year-old Wi******er High graduate who suffered devastating injuries in a car accident in December 2023 (severe brain injury, significant trauma to the torso and lower limbs, etc.) and has been hospitalized ever since. After lengthy stays at Lahey, MGH, and Spaulding, he has, and will continue to have, major medical expenses as he transitions from Spaulding to the next step in his healing journey. While coming home is the ultimate goal, that will mean expensive care costs as well as substantial modifications and retrofitting of their home. Insurance will cover some of this, but the family will be paying a large amount out of pocket. We know that Peter would be thrilled to help Aidan and his family as they navigate these most challenging times.

If you're interested in donating to Aidan's GoFund me, here is the link - https://www.gofundme.com/f/Aidan-mcelhinney-help-with-medical-expenses.

Aidan is a fighter, and if you'd like to read updates from his mom on their CaringBridge site detailing his journey, here is that link - https://www.caringbridge.org/site/93d5457f-9b89-3142-b5bb-5cee6b101dad.

12/26/2024

Wishing Peter Warren French a very happy 50th birthday today. He came into our lives at 7:25am December 26, 1974, and though his time with us was cut way too short, he made all of our lives infinitely better. However we knew him - as a son, brother, friend, cousin, nephew, teammate, grandson, co-worker, boyfriend, classmate - it's safe to say he left a mark that has been impossible to replace. We love and miss you Pete!

01/03/2024

We were very pleased to issue a $5,000 grant to Paws 4 A Cure, a wonderful all-volunteer nonprofit out of Wakefield that provides financial assistance throughout the US to those who can't afford urgent veterinary care for their beloved pets. We received a heartfelt letter of thanks that stated "Your phenomenal donation is the largest donation that Paws 4 A Cure has ever received. When I opened the envelope at the post office I gasped and cried instantly. Your commitment to helping Paws 4 A Cure in Peter’s memory is sincerely appreciated." We love to help out smaller causes that can really use the donation, and we know this money will be put to great use.

Peter was an avid animal lover. From his pet adventures with Mugsy the hamster (and his many, many offspring), bunnies, fish, and especially our Siamese cats Tiki and Tai, he knew the joy and love that a furry friend brings to a family. We feel that he would wholeheartedly support Paws 4 A Cure and all the good they do.

12/27/2023

Wishing Pete a very happy 49th birthday today! Since he had the misfortune of having his birthday the day after Christmas, as a family we actually celebrated his half-birthday on June 26th each year instead. But still, Christmas and his birthday were always interwoven, a time of love and happiness and family. So Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Pete! These pics are the 3 French boys from Christmastime, 19 years apart (in 1982 and 2001).

04/29/2023

As we remember Peter today and mark 21 years since his passing, we encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and do something that might make you uncomfortable. This video of Pete is the ultimate example of him stepping (way) outside of his comfort zone. He surprised us all when he decided to try out for the WHS Octets his senior year. Sports were his thing, but singing? In front of people? Not so much. He was often in the background with the Octets, with only a very minimal solo once or twice. But he truly grew from that experience, gained a lot of self-confidence, and conquered (at least some of) his fear of performing in front of people. That allowed him to feel confident enough to sing on his own at the WHS Senior Recital, the first time he'd ever done that. Sure, he may have wanted a friend there with him in case he chickened out or needed some help (he didn't). But he did it, and he rightfully was very proud of himself afterwards. So in honor of Pete today, we encourage you to similarly do something you wouldn't normally do - conquer a fear, step outside your comfort zone, and continue to grow.

03/15/2023

The Ides of March can only mean one thing - that March Madness is officially upon us! And with that, the 20th Annual Peter French Memorial March Madness Pool is now underway. This is our biggest fundraiser each year, as half the money goes to the Foundation (in the pool's first 19 years, we've raised just under $65,000) and the other half to the winners (we've given away over $15,000 in prize winnings the past 5 years alone, so there is much money to be won). The cost to enter is $12 per bracket and you can enter up to 5 brackets. Deadline is Thursday 3/16 at 12:15pm ET.
To participate, go to http://pfmffundraiser.weebly.com/. Anyone can play, so please pass the word along to anyone who you think might be interested. Thank you, and enjoy the madness!

01/03/2023

We were very pleased to issue a $5,000 grant to Adaptive Sports New England, a wonderful non-profit that increases participation in sports for those with visual or mobility impairments. They conduct programs in swimming, track & field, beep baseball, wheelchair basketball, rowing, and others. They recently teamed up with the Patriots Foundation to host a wheelchair football clinic for more than 30 athletes from around New England (https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/new-england-patriots-wheelchair-football-clinic/ to see the local news story about it).

Sports obviously played an enormous role in Pete's life. He also had a rare ability to bring people together and make everyone feel special. So we think this organization perfectly combines those two aspects of his life and that he would definitely appreciate and wholeheartedly support their mission.

12/27/2022

A day late with this, but a very happy 48th birthday to Peter! It was a brutally cold day in New England, so surely there were some adult beverages consumed to keep everyone warm.

This photo was taken on Peter's 9th birthday in 1983. Mr French, Van, Chris, and cousins Beth and Jim provided some assistance and encouragement from the sidelines.

Address

Wi******er, MA

Website

https://www.peterwfrench.com/

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