The Ken Eaton Foundation- Inspiring Good in the World

By: Grant Christian and Angela Lose

February 13, 1988.

This was the day Jennifer Bertagnolli will never forget. It was the day Ken Eaton, her father, was killed in an anti-gay hate crime. Bertagnolli was 17 at the time.

Ken Eaton was a loving family member, teacher, and mentor to many in the Des Moines community. Many said that Eaton would bend over backwards to make you happy. He had lots of energy and a fun loving attitude.

At the young age of 17 Bertagnolli felt a break in her heart that she felt would never mend. She felt her life would never be the same. While the statement is accurate she found a way to put the pain into something that would help her loss and many others. From this The Ken Eaton Foundation was born.

The Ken Eaton Foundation’s mission is, “To create awareness of violent crimes through the voices of the victims/survivors of those crimes. Our hope is to touch the hearts and open the minds of all people by creating empathy with victims/survivors, and possibly curtailing the ripple effect of criminal thinking.”

Experiencing a tragedy that happened to be the night before Valentines Day led Jennifer to think about all the other families whose Valentines Day celebrations are missing someone due to a homicide.

With those feelings strong and passionate, Jen created the Valentines for Victims event that honors several families each year at an event held at St. Anthony Catholic Church on the Southside of Des Moines.

Throughout the year she pays close attention to news and creates connections within the community and surrounding states to help get in contact with families of various victims.

With the helping hands of many in the Des Moines community, St. Anthony school, Dowling Catholic High School, Brody middle school where Eaton taught for many years, she is able to put together an event that impacts many families. Boxes are filled with gifts, cards, food, money, and kind words.

On February 20th at 8:30am hundreds joined together at St. Anthony’s to honor 18 families that Bertagnolli was honoring. After the catholic mass was celebrated, Bertagnolli took to the altar to begin the ceremony. This was her fourth year doing the event.

With 18 beaming boxes filling the altar one by one she called the families of the victims up to be presented with the box. Students at St. Anthony’s helped carry fourth the boxes.

Tears were flowing from the family members who walked forward to receive the gift. The impact that was being made was huge.

Bertagnolli in conclusion of the event passionately says, “Be the good in our world. Tell the people in your life how much you love them. Be sure to tell them why.”

The tragedy that Jennifer and her family felt was something indescribable. Ten years ago Jennifer did not think that The Ken Eaton Foundation would be providing happiness and a small relief to families affected in the same ways she was.