Weekly Roundup

August 13, 2026

“It filled my bucket to know that people are truly benefitting from my project.” From raising over $4,200 for a local ambulance to delivering essential baby supplies, see how our students are taking action this week! This week's Benjamin Project features a Montana student who organized a massive raffle for her local EMS, a Colorado student reflecting on the joy of supporting families at SECOR Cares, and a Minnesota student who quadrupled her grant for Kaitlyn's Kloset. Rounding out the week is an uplifting travel scholarship reflection from a Montana student exploring historic landmarks across Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City.

The Benjamin Project

Claire - Montana

Claire at her raffle booth inside the local hardware store, with a hand-drawn poster advertising the iPad Air raffle for her local EMS
Claire selling raffle tickets at her booth during a local basketball game
Claire presenting the iPad Air raffle prize alongside members of the Laurel EMS crew
When I received the $100 dollars I knew right away that I wanted to grow it quite a lot. In the end I decided to grow my money for our local EMS because they were trying to purchase a new ambulance. My parents and I purchased 1000 tickets and sold them for 5 dollars each. We raffled off a 13 inch iPad Air, Apple Pencil, and Folio case which were provided by Western Security Bank. We ended up selling just over $4,200. To sell the tickets I set up my booth at local basketball games and at ACE Hardware while posting videos on my mom's Facebook page. In the end I learned a lot about advertising and buying and selling.
The Benjamin Project

Caleb - Colorado

The Benjamin project was super great. It helped me learn skills that I can use to teach people and help make an impact in our community. It filled my bucket to know that people are truly benefitting from my project.

Caleb supported SECOR Cares, a local non-profit that restores hope and dignity to families experiencing suburban poverty.

The Benjamin Project

McKenzie - Minnesota

McKenzie at Walmart with a shopping cart filled with diapers and other baby supplies
McKenzie reaching for a box of cereal on a store shelf while filling her donation cart
McKenzie pushing a cart full of food and supplies through the store aisle
McKenzie delivering bags of supplies to the incoming donations bin at Kaitlyn's Kloset
With the $100 I raised an additional $300, and then I went to Walmart and bought different things for babies and moms that don't have enough money to support their family. Then with all of the supplies we went to Kaitlyn's Kloset, which was the organization that I supported. They were really thankful for all of the supplies that we gave to them.
Scholarship Reflection

Presley - Montana

I want to thank you for giving me a scholarship for the trip. It was so fun! I learned so much about D.C. and all the buildings. There was so much history there! Since there was the UFC fight it was so cool to see the ring, and see the memorials and the White House! In Philly it was so cool to see the Liberty Bell and the courthouse/library. New York was my favorite because we got to see Times Square, a ton of celebrities, a Broadway show, and go shopping at big stores! I really liked watching the Yankees game and seeing the 9/11 Memorial, it's HUGE! Thank you for giving me a scholarship so I can see these AMAZING places!!