Ben’s Bells is located at 816 E. University Blvd. in the Geronimo Plaza of Main Gate Square, just west of the UA. Now they are opening up a second location downtown, and the public is invited.

Friday January 20, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. grand opening celebration
40 W. Broadway (east of Church Ave.)

Schedule for the day of kindness:

10 a.m. Studio officially opens
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Open house
BYO Bag lunch
Music
Treats

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Ribbon cuttings
Music
Food/drink
Kindness all around

I reported on their annual “Kindness Day” last April, 2010 (click here for more background on Ben’s Bells and deceased toddler Ben Packard whom this program is named after).

Our mission is to inspire, educate and motivate each other to realize the impact of intentional kindness and to empower individuals to act according to that awareness, thereby changing our world.

I’ve been nominated for a Ben’s Bell, have volunteered to hand paint some of these bells, and on January 8, 2012 (the one year anniversary of the Tucson Tragedy mass shooting), I helped distribute bells along with 200 other people. It was a terrific feeling to drive around at sunrise to locate places to anonymously hang these lovely bell mobiles, in goodwill and hoping that whomever finds them can find some joy and kindness in their hearts.

Mailing address: PO Box 41025 Tucson, AZ 85717-1025
email: bensbells@bensbells.org
phone/fax: 520-628-2829

Be kind today and everyday.

Celebrate Kindness Day” by Ben’s Bells Project coming up on Saturday, April 24th at 816 E. University Blvd (Geronimo Plaza in Main Gate Square)! It’s time to buy your tickets and order your “YOU ARE KIND” mini Ben’s Bells!
2:00-5:00 p.m. – Free Admission
Live Music – Face Painting – Raffle – Bell-making – Kind Kids Sign-up

5:00-8:00 p.m. – Tickets $25 ($30 at the door)
Ben’s Bells invites you to spend the evening with Elliot Glicksman, The Determined Luddites, The Tryst, The Rapallos, Olympic swimmers, and other fun and KIND Tucsonans!
Live Music – Dancing – Food – Wine – Beer – Silent Auction
Free parking on the street (Saturday) and at the UA parking garages nearby.

website: www.bensbells.org. The story behind the bells: Toddler Ben Packard suddenly died from croup on March 29, 2002 at age 2, and his mother Jeannette founded Ben’s Bells in his memory in 2003, creating lovely ceramic mobiles to thank people for their kindness. “On the first anniversary of his death, hundreds of Ben’s Bells were distributed throughout Tucson, hung randomly in trees, on bike paths, and in parks with a written message to simply take one home and pass on the kindness.”

Weekly awards of these bells are given to lucky Tucsonans for their kindness and community spirit. I was nominated once for the work I did for founding/coordinating/steering a volunteer elderly project in my neighborhood.

I have also helped paint those lovely ceramic shapes that compose a Ben’s Bells mobile. It’s a great art project to help the Tucson community appreciate kindness. You too can help by dropping by their office/studio at 816 E. University Blvd. (Geronimo Plaza, east side). Hours are:

Wednesdays 10-3pm
Thursdays 10-3pm
Fridays 10-7pm
Saturday/Sunday 10-3pm

“Nothing is more important in these trying times than kindness.”

Be KIND and celebrate kindness on April 24.