Community Impact Award Honors the Peach Pit Foundation's Lasting Legacy of Giving

At the Northern Middlesex YMCA's Annual Meeting on June 9, we were honored to recognize the Peach Pit Foundation with a 2026 Community Impact Award, celebrating a partnership that has transformed lives throughout our community for more than 15 years.

Founded by Sharon and Bill Griffin and their children, Will and Jessica, the Peach Pit Foundation was created with a simple but powerful purpose: helping hardworking individuals and families who need just a little extra support to move forward.

The foundation's name was inspired by a card featuring a turtle planting a peach pit. The image carried a meaningful message that has guided the family's philanthropy ever since....sometimes you stay long enough to watch the peach tree grow, and other times you move on knowing it will continue growing without you. It is a reminder that the greatest acts of generosity often create ripples of impact that extend far beyond what we ever get to witness.

As President & CEO Michele Rulnick shared during the presentation, that philosophy reflects the very heart of philanthropy. "Sometimes you give and you don't necessarily see the results. You have to have faith that your giving is making a difference."

At the YMCA, we have had the privilege of seeing those results firsthand.

Through the Peach Pit Foundation's generosity, the YMCA has expanded financial assistance for after-school childcare and Camp Ingersoll, helping working families manage the rising cost of care. Their support has also created a special assistance fund for families who may not qualify for traditional financial aid but still face significant financial challenges.

The foundation has also strengthened the YMCA's Schwarz Residence by helping working men remain housed during difficult economic times, stocking the food pantry, and providing family-style holiday meals that foster dignity, comfort, and connection.

Over the past 15 years, the Peach Pit Foundation has contributed more than $1 million to YMCA programs and services, creating opportunities for children, supporting families, helping residents maintain stable housing, and even providing first-job experiences for camp counselors. Their commitment also includes a remarkable $250,000 investment in the Northern Middlesex YMCA's Capital Campaign, helping ensure our community has access to an even stronger Y for generations to come.

While their partnership with the YMCA has been transformational, their generosity reaches far beyond our walls. The Peach Pit Foundation supports numerous nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions, educational initiatives, and community programs throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Florida, and beyond.....quietly making a profound difference wherever there is need.

Accepting the award, Sharon Griffin reflected on the partnership by saying, "The YMCA has been a wonderful partner to us. They listen to the things we want to accomplish....often out of the box...but together we make them happen."

She also shared a belief that perfectly captures the foundation's approach to philanthropy: "One of our beliefs is giving while you're living so that you can see some of your efforts come to fruition and believe that they will continue whether you see it or not."

That philosophy has inspired countless opportunities for children, families, and individuals throughout our community.

What began as a single peach pit has become an orchard of hope, opportunity, and lasting impact.

On behalf of everyone whose lives have been touched by their generosity, thank you to Sharon, Bill, Will, Jessica, and the entire Peach Pit Foundation family for believing in the power of community and for growing a legacy that will continue to flourish for generations to come.

The Northern Middlesex YMCA's Community Impact Award recognizes organizations whose dedication and partnership make a lasting difference in the lives of those they serve. Through years of quiet service, compassion, and collaboration, the Middletown Police Department has exemplified what it means to build a stronger, safer, and more caring community.

About the Northern Middlesex YMCA

The Northern Middlesex YMCA is a charitable organization dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Through programs that serve children, families, older adults, and individuals experiencing housing insecurity, the YMCA works every day to ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.