Weekly Roundup
September 10, 2026
From playing Candyland with local seniors to delivering hospital surprises for young patients, see the inspiring ways our students are lifting up their communities! This week's Benjamin Project features two Minnesota students bringing toys and books to patients at Sanford Children's Hospital, a Colorado student hosting a game afternoon for residents at a local senior center, and a California student partnering with an art studio to display uplifting paintings across her town. Rounding out the week is a powerful scholarship reflection from a Colorado student who gained a deep sense of gratitude, historical perspective, and lifelong friendships while exploring Washington, D.C.
Elise & Emry - Minnesota
With $200 total, we bought toys, coloring books, and books for children at the Children's Hospital at Sanford Health. Our impact made a lot of children happy by receiving fun things to play with! When our project wrapped up, we felt very excited to give toys to children at the hospital. The people at Sanford that helped take our items were very kind and it was very nice to meet them, and as it wrapped up we were sad that it was ending but also very happy to help. We would also like to thank our teacher for making this possible.
Ruth - Colorado
We got board games and fun activities to do with the people at Windcrest senior center during our visit there. We had so much fun playing games like Guess Who and Candyland with them and got to make many new friendships along the way.
Harper - California
For the Benjamin project, I decided to do cheerful brushstrokes. My project consisted of putting paintings around community places to spread more positivity in my community. I partnered up with Pinot's Palette for donations to make the paintings. It was super fun to collaborate and work with different organizations and put the paintings out into the world, knowing that it was for a good cause!
Aliya - Colorado
My experience on the recent Washington D.C trip has not only taught me perseverance, grit, and a sense of curiosity, but also how to be in a learning environment with my peers outside of the classroom. Going to each memorial, and museum, has shown me the effort, and the sacrifice needed for the world we have today. From equality, justice, order, and community, our founding fathers and so many others have worked endlessly hard for the country we live in. Not only did I obtain a profound sense of gratitude for where I grew up, but for the rights I have, the sacrifices made for me, and the equality all people have today. I am sincerely grateful to learn about my country's history, and how power is balanced throughout it. Because of this scholarship, I got to be where the heart of equality started, and learn about the fight it took to achieve it. Another thing that I am deeply grateful for was to learn about our Capital, Congress, and the people who helped shape it. It has shown me the detail put into these buildings, representing the sacrifice, time, and importance of the goals they achieved.
Something that I learned that will change my life is to focus on what I do have, rather than what I lack. From women's suffrage rights, the Holocaust, slavery, and so many other events that have impacted our world today, to be in my position, I realize how lucky I am. To go on this trip with my peers and learn outside of the classroom is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Living every day to the fullest extent, not wasting a second on standing up for something wrong, and keeping in mind that a small action changes everything. Not only did I have an amazing time with my chaperones, and peers, but I also made new friends along the way. This trip was extraordinarily fun, with so many memories made. I am beyond grateful to be able to experience doing this, and learn what shapes my world along the way.