Ben’s Bells Project, a Tucson, AZ – based nonprofit that promotes and celebrates intentional kindness will continue its work in Newtown, CT starting the week of February 11th and continuing into the future through the creation of a chapter group called Ben’s Bells Newtown. Ben’s Bells founder, Jeannette Maré, will be in Newtown from February 11th-15th to prepare the Newtown community to take over the local effort.
Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, requests poured in from residents of Connecticut and throughout the country for Ben’s Bells to be sent to Newtown as a show kindness and support. Thousands of people donated to and volunteered with Ben’s Bells Project to support the effort. On January 8, 2013, 1,000 Bells were hung throughout the Newtown community leading to a widespread interest from that community to get involved in the creation of Ben’s Bells and with the mission to spread intentional kindness. As a result, the Ben’s Bells Project has created a chapter group for Newtown and Connecticut.
“After helping distribute bells in January, I wanted to bring Ben's Bells back to Newtown. This new chapter will allow our community to help spread the kindness that we received after the tragic events”, said Jennifer Avari, a Newtown resident and the Ben’s Bells Newtown team lead. “Finding a bell touched so many people and this is a great way to pay it forward. Not only will this be an opportunity for everyone to participate in the spreading of kindness, but it's also a great lesson to teach our kids”.
Nationally renowned, Ben’s Bells are brightly colored ceramic works of art that are randomly hung in public places that bear a tag instructing the person who finds the Bell to take it home and to remember to be kind. "This bell symbolizes our connection as a community and the power we each have to change the world by committing to kindness, one interaction as a time” said Jeannette Maré, founder of Ben’s Bells. “Finding a committed and dedicated group of volunteers to create the new chapter of Ben’s Bells will allow this community to pay forward the acts of kindness they have received now and for years to come.”
Starting Monday, February 11th through Thursday, February 14th, Ben’s Bells will be conducting various school presentations as well as public bell making activities at Healing Newtown Art Space at 5 Queen Street in Newtown, next to Caraluzzi’s Market. Public events during the kick-off week and in march are already filled but Ben's Bells Newtown will be holding several other public events:
- Monday, April 1st from 12-2pm
- Tuesday, April 16th from 4-6pm
- Registration is requested for each bell-making event and can be done via email at newtown@bensbells.org. Just include your preferred date, time and headcount. Space is limited so register today.
- It's always good to email us so, we can keep track of all our volunteers who are willing to make bells with us!
We rely solely on donations to make Ben's Bells and people may still donate to the Ben's Bells Project to support our Ben's Bells Newtown chapter and our ongoing efforts in Newtown by submitting a donation payable to Ben’s Bells and mailed to Ben’s Bells Newtown, P.O. Box 436, Newtown, CT 06404
For more information and updated news on Ben’s Bells Newtown, visit http://www.facebook.com/BensBellsNewtown
