This report provides information about an organization that has dedicated its objective to spreading kindness around the community in Tucson. Ben’s Bells is an organization that spreads kindness through provision of Bells in its community following several acts of tragedies that have occurred in the town. The report will provide information regarding the organization's early beginnings and the level of expansion they are currently experiencing. Additionally, the report will provide examples of social responsibility practices that the organization has managed to spread across different towns in the country.
Ben’s Bells began following the tragedies around Tucson that involved the death of three-year-old Ben Marie and nine years later shootings at a constituent event. The parents began Ben’s Bell as a way to spread kindness as a way of showing support to those who are hurting. Ben’s Bells are normally hung at random in different parts of the community for individuals to find and take home. This was to remind people to practice intentional kindness. Ben’s bell mission is to inspire, educate and motivate individuals in an effort to make them aware the potential impact of intentional kindness that can help strengthen relationships in the community.
Social responsible practices
Ben’s Bell makes bells, which contain notes that are used to pass messages of kindness. During the shootings that took place at U.S Rep Gifford’s’ constituent event, in 2011, Ben’s Bell hanged 1400 bells around the city, which translated to an increase in kindness at the community level.
In Tucson, Bell hangings are performed two times in a year with additional weekly bellings where certain deserving individuals receive a bell for their kindness.
Ties to the community
Ben’s Bell has been supportive to the Tucson community following the shooting tragedies in helping people to heal. Additionally, the Kind Kids program incorporated in more than a 100 schools is an initiative of Ben’s Bell to help in the development of a kindness culture in the schools. This has been significant in trying to reduce bullying in schools. Through this program, children have a chance to experience what it feels like when one becomes kind to others, and the people around them are kind to them.
Summary
Ben’s Bells involved pieces of Bells made from clay and fired in kilns before assembly. Ben’s Bells has gotten nationwide attention to the extent some of the programs are being implemented in several states such as New Jersey. Most of the organizations funding comes from individuals, and almost half comes from the sale of Be Kind Merchandise. Their offices in Tucson have three studios, Tucson main gate, Tucson downtown and Newtown ct where volunteers do assembly of the bells. The organization seeks to open up more studios in different communities, but this will result to additional costs. Despite the attention generated, the organization views the maintenance of the integrity and goal of the mission being quite challenging.
One of its program, Kind Kids, has been implemented effectively in more than a 100 schools. The organization has also taken steps to invite social scientists from universities such as Stanford and University Arizona to conduct qualitative studies on effects of kindness on people.
