“The Pasta for Ben supper, held at the Elks Club on April 18th was a great success.” said Tricia Gibney, spokesperson for the event sponsored by the Giving Back Girls. Youngsters and adults alike made something truly meaningful in a genuine tribute heralding their support of the courageous family of Benjamin Buckley, the seven year old boy who died on January 23, 2014 after a fatal asthma attack.
Present for the celebratory honoring of the short life of Ben Buckley were his parents, Jeff and Cristin Buckley, his sister, Madison, 11, and his twin brother, Adam, 7. Jeff Buckley expressed the family’s sincere gratitude to the community for its support during the past two months. “The caring and loving words and actions of so many has been deeply appreciated. It has enabled us to cope, to move on.” Such personal strength is remarkable, nonetheless, as is the community-wide compassion in helping this young family to rise beyond their profound grief to honor and treasure the brief life of their son, Benjamin.
Pasta for Ben provided an opportunity for the people of Southington and beyond to join the family in a modest meal of salad, bread, pasta with marinara sauce, cookies, cake and other delectable sweets in a respectful yet uplifting, heart-warming environment of music, prizes, face- painted kids and grownups, some bearing the words: ‘Ben was here’ .
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Gibney and the Giving Back Girls were grateful to the Buckley family for “bravely cheering on the benefit which resulted in proceeds of more than $4,500.00”, Gibney said, “All proceeds will be used for local student scholarships and grants to fund asthma and allergy research and prescriptions.” Concerned that she might inadvertently omit any of the many who came forward in this community effort, Gibney hesitated in individually thanking the many who made it all possible. But surely, the greater Southington community deserves a well-earned salute in gathering to remember that Ben Was Here, that this special little boy made a positive difference in this world”. Amen.
P.S. Be sure to check out the photos, including those of the Giving Back Girls in a few scenes of the community service they perform all year round. ERF
