Weekly Roundup
August 27, 2026
From raising $3,000 through a community bake sale to planting a native seed garden, see the inspiring ways our students are taking action this week! This week's Benjamin Project features a California student who teamed up with his classmates to bring smiles to kids undergoing chemotherapy, a Nebraska student who turned a homemade bake sale into a massive $3,000 donation, and a Colorado Greenhouse Gang president equipping his team to plant a native seed garden. Rounding out the week is a moving travel scholarship reflection from a Montana student whose first trip across the country to Washington, D.C. inspired a profound perspective on history, courage, and unity.
Jayden - California
With the $100 from the Benjamin Project, I made comfort bags for kids in chemotherapy. The experience for not just me but all of my classmates was unforgettable, and something we will always remember as us doing the right thing while bringing smiles to kids faces. My classmates were really excited to help me with my project and contribute to help our community.
Sameeha - Nebraska
With my $100 I executed a bake sale to raise money for a donation to the American Heart Association. I made popular desserts and sold them in my community. I got very positive feedback and raised a large sum of money. I made Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cups, Candied Pretzels, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Brownies. I also received some donations from my community: Cupcakes, Banana Pudding, Biscoff, Cheesecake and a couple other things.
A large cash donation was made by an anonymous person who the cause was very important too. They only took a couple treats and refused when I offered their son to take whatever he wanted. In all, I raised $3,000 to give to the American Heart Association.
Jonathan - Colorado
For Greenhouse Gang I decided to spend my money on rakes. In the beginning, I made a plan for our native seed garden outside the greenhouse. We needed more tools to do the work. So I decided to get rakes. We used them to move rocks and prepare our seed garden. As the President of the greenhouse gang, it has been fun to plant native plants with other students.
Jace - Montana
I am so grateful for the money you gave to my trip. I had never been more than 500 miles away from home let alone all the way across the country. Going to D.C. is the best trip I have ever been on. I feel that D.C. has changed my perspective on war, peace, strife, and courage.
First, war. Going into the Vietnam memorial I wasn't expecting to see as many names as I did. And in that moment envisioning that each one of those names was a young man with a family waiting for him really showed me why so many people opposed this unnecessary war. In addition seeing the numerous names of nurses that went to help our soldiers showed bravery that I never even considered in the past.
Second, peace. Something I saw in D.C. that gave me a sense of community like never before was going to Ben's Chilli bowls and visiting such an important cornerstone of the D.C. community and witnessing people putting their differences aside and coming together in support of one tiny chilli bowl shop. Especially in such a time of diversity in our country and in the capital of the United States showed me that in times of division you can put aside your differences and come together for something greater.
Third, strife. Visiting the holocaust memorial/museum was heartbreaking. Before, I never have realized the terrible actions the Nazis had done to the victims of the holocaust. I left there very conflicted deep down, I didn't know how to deal with the such strong emotions I was feeling. In the end I appreciated going there and being shown an extra side of the Holocaust and even though all of the horrors I saw, it made me feel more like we are all just humans and that we are all the same in the end and that there is no need to hate one another.
Last, (but not least) courage. Visiting the national mall and seeing the monuments was inspiring. The MLK Jr Memorial showed me that anyone can overcome obstacles no matter the size and the quotes were great advice to not only to take, but to really consider what they meant at that time. The Washington monument was a sign of great American strength and reminded me that we are all Americans no matter what ethnicity, or political party you align with.
All in all, after visiting D.C. I felt more patriotic than ever before and it made me realize that our country being so divided is so wrong and unnecessary. There is no need for hate in this world with so much already in it. And as Americans and humans in general we need to love one another so much more than we already do.