November 2022
Big Family of Michigan
Nomination: Nancy Hauff
Website: https://bigfamilyofmi.org/

Jeanne Fowler founded Big Family of Michigan in 2002 in an effort to provide dignity, humility and love to Michigan’s 10,000 foster children whose emotional and physical needs are often overlooked. Big Family of Michigan has since impacted thousands of lives by raising funds for core programs, such as back-to-school supplies, Christmas and holiday gifts, birthdays in a bag, aging-out suitcases and college scholarships for Michigan’s foster children and teens.

The passion behind Big Family of Michigan started over 60 years ago in an abusive home, where at a very young age, Jeanne Fowler and her brother Peter experienced a horrific childhood. Beaten and tortured daily, the two clung to each other as their sole source of love and reason for living. Unfortunately, that bond was broken when Peter, age three, was beaten to death at the hands of their mother. Jeanne shared her childhood story in an autobiography entitled Peter’s Lullaby. Jeanne’s work and dedication will live on in Big Family, which will continue its good works in her name.