Ben's Wish Poster Contest Winners November 2011
This is what Ben's Wish is by Becky Delain (mother of Ben)....
The coloring/poster contest for the school children winners which received the "awesome" fire truck rides from the Green Bay Fire Department is based off of this event. (Please see www.BensWish.org & attachments for its origins). The second is the Ben's Wish Weekend Backpack program described in the latter part of this letter. This deals with feeding the the hyperpoverty school children in which Jefferson Elementary School is our pilot program.
Ben's Wish was started to help our community around us in 2009. One of the last acts of our son, Ben, who was 11 years old ...only 2 days before he died, was to reach out in "kindness" to help feed another person. Ben helped to feed a homeless man who was holding up a sign, "Need Food" while enroute to our camping destination.
Ben died on August 18, 2007 due to an ATV accident on a multi-purpose/ATV trail. Ben's father, Peter, was riding with him, seated on the back. Both were wearing helmets. They were only going ~ 20-25 miles per hour, but there was a truck hunting bear track. Ben never saw this truck and that is what took his life.
This simple, but grand gesture of Ben's - ironic as it may be - was for a child to help an adult in need. Our Ben had a heart of gold and was wise beyond his years. I guess it doesn't matter who you are or how old you are to help someone in need.
Every 4th of July, Ben's Wish participates in the city's fireworks event - "Fire Over the Fox" - and collects non-perishable food with all donations going to the local food pantries. The 4th of July was chosen for Ben's Wish event because our Benny loved the loud & colorful fireworks...plus it is a community event free to the public. People no matter who they are - can enjoy the fireworks. (If people are carrying a blanket or chair to sit on while watching the fireworks - we are trying to get the "word out" to also bring a non-perishable food item to drop while enroute. People usually do not mind doing this, if they are aware).
Food is still "very" needed @ this time of the year, too...which often is forgotten because it is summer. (The local food pantries have said so). There are more people to help feed - as our children are out of school. (While the children are in school, they can be assured they will get a nutritious meal(s) in their belly each day during the weekday @ least).
Ben's Wish 4th of July Coloring/Poster Contest occured for the first time in 2011. The goal was to start teaching our school children how to give so they can grow up and become successful contributing members to our community. In order to learn this skill, we know how important "role-models" are.
Our son, Ben and his last act of kindness....is someone all children can relate to...because Ben was a child, himself. Thus, Ben's Wish is a "wonderful" program that can be used with both children and adults alike...as Ben's last act of kindness was to an adult man in need. Ironic, isn't it?
St. Thomas More Catholic School and their Principal, Eric Weydt, was very "proactive" and excited to learn and implement Ben's Wish! Their children not only colored & designed beautiful Ben's Wish posters, but they also collected food to be given to our local food pantries. This occurred during the last 4-6 weeks of school.
Ben's Wish is "extremely" thankful to the Green Bay Fire Department for providing a free fire truck ride to the Ben's Wish Coloring/Poster Contest Winners of St. Thomas More Catholic School. What a great community this is! The children thought the Fire Trucks & Staff were the most "awesome" thing here on Earth. What great role models you are to them! Thank you Green Bay Fire Department!!! (The winners and all contestamts of the Ben's Wish coloring/poster contest also had their artwork displayed @ the Ben's Wish tent next to the Neville Museum during the 4th of July downtown, - "Fire Over the Fox").
The second component to Ben's Wish is the implementation of a Ben's Wish Weekend Food Backpack Program for our school children @ our hyperpoverty schools. Ben's Wish has partnered with the Green Bay Rotarians this past summer of 2011. We will start feeding our school children @ Jefferson Elementary School in January of 2012 - a "hyperpoverty school" - on the weekends with a backpack to take home every Friday and return on Monday. This will occur every weekend while school is in session. These children have the opportunity to have something to eat without worrying about if and what they will have to eat. Studies have shown that grades go up, attendance increases & they have overall better health. It is our goal to expand and include the Top 9 Hyperpoverty Schools in Green Bay.
If anyone is interested in the above program for helping to feed the school children @ Jefferson Elementary School - people can make a $ donation. It will be tax deductible. $85.00 will feed 1 child for the year, $170.00 will feed 2 children for the year and $255.00 will feed 3 children for the year, or $1,700.00 will feed a classroom of 20 student for the year or other.....whatever anyone can donate would be "greatly" appreciated . If anyone is interested in this giving checks can be made payable & sent to:
Green Bay Area Public Schools
C/O: Alison Draheim - Backpacks
905 Harrison St., Green Bay, WI 54303
(T) 920-448-2106
