Over 1,800 people came to celebrate Patrick Brett's life after losing him in a car accident in 2005. That morning the Brett family challenged every attendee to live like Patrick had by making a difference in another person's life.

Thirteen years later his friends and family are ardently answering that call through their work with the Patrick Brett Foundation. Modeling the organization's mission and values after the character qualities held by Patrick, they decided to fund scholarships for people looking for a fresh start. In partnership with the St. Petersburg College Foundation, the Patrick Brett Foundation created a new scholarship for SPC students who need a second chance to finish their degree and achieve their dreams.

 

Since the scholarship fund's inception in 2016, the Patrick Brett Foundation has donated over $128,000 including a $78,000 gift this month. "This scholarship has given me a new life, it gives me hope to achieve my goals and to be able to provide for my children. I don't want them to go through what I went through...I want to have a future for them," said SPC student and 2017 Patrick Brett Foundation Scholarship recipient Rosalynn Maroni.

The Tampa Bay Times covers Patrick's 30th birthday party at 3 Daughters Brewing. 

The Northeast Journal features Patrick's life and legacy. 

SPC Foundation donors, partners, students and college leadership celebrated the awarding of more than $1.7 million in scholarships to over 2,000 students during the 2015-16 academic year at the St. Petersburg College Foundation's 18th Annual Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon on March 30.

More than 250 guests attended the event, sponsored by RBC Wealth Management and Emceed by Bay News 9's Veronica Cintron. SPC students, Andrew Holness and Valerie Diaz, moved the audience as they shared their educational journeys with guests.
 

Offering a donor's perspective, Terry Brett co-founder of the Patrick Brett Foundation and former Chair of the College Board of Trustees, shared the heart-felt story behind the Foundation he created with wife Kim in memory of their son. The Patrick Brett Foundation funds scholarships for fresh-start students at SPC, giving them a second chance to succeed.

Saint Petersblog capture the rise of THe Patrick Brett Foundation as they achieve their goal of funding Fresh Starts.