There's a courtyard just off of Main Gate Square in Tucson called Geronimo Park. It's surrounded by a few local restaurants and a little organization called Ben's Bells.

Ben's Bells Tucson

Ben's Bells was created out of tragedy. When Jeannette Mare's 3 year old son, Ben, passed away very suddenly, she began creating these bells as a way to cope with her family's loss and pass on the kindness and caring they recieved after his death.  These beautiful bells are hung around Tucson twice a year at random places with a note attached, asking the finder to take the bell home and to pass along the kindness.

Locals in Tucson can be nominated for their kindness and generousity - or be "Belled".

From their website:

Ben’s Bells symbolize kindness and its power in healing. We hope that they will touch others’ lives and help to make our community a more gentle place to live. We are so very grateful for our community’s incredible enthusiasm for the project and we know that we can make a difference.

 

I first learned about Ben's Bells after the January 8th shootings in Tucson.  After the tragedy, in hopes to help our city heal, they hung hundreds of bells all over Tucson...and the national media took notice:

 

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It's incredible how a simple crafted item like a bell can hold the power to heal.  We're very proud that Ben's Bells is here in Tucson and I love the message it stands for.  I've not had a chance to volunteer...yet.  I can't wait until I do.

Ben's Bells Tucson

 

Tierra Antigua Realty
216 E Congress
Tucson AZ
cell: 520.329.0400
email: emmary@tucsonkent.com
blog: The Gadsden Girl
website: The Gadsden Girl

 

AND

Steinborn Referral Associates
Las Cruces & Mesilla
cell: 575.201.3410
email: emmyinlc@gmail.com
blog: Emmy In LC
Neighborhoods of Las Cruces

 

     

 
Star Posted by Emmary Simpson ChRC® Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson AZ on 07/11/2011 02:47 PM   Comments (22)   Tucson Charities in the Regional Channel   volunteering, ben bells, tucson arizona  
Originally posted at: The Gadsden Girl: The Power of Kindness
Short URL: http://actvra.in/dLs
This post has been included in Arizona Real Estate News Pima County, AZ Real Estate News Tucson, AZ Real Estate News University Of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Arizona Real Estate
Post is included in group: Giving Back
Post is included in group: HyperLocal Neighborhood and Community Posts
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism
Post is included in group: Tucson Real Estate

22 Comments on The Power of Kindness

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
11
2011
155,502 Points Outside Blog

What a beautiful story! The healing power springs from a tragedy. Thank you for sharing!!!
3:02pm • #3
465,928 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

How awesome and sad at the same time... trying to fight back feeling sad today. I need some more bell.
3:14pm • #4
218,469 Points Called Shot Master

Wow Emmary thanks for posting. I hope that you posted this on "Paying It Forward "Group....
3:18pm • #5
1,052,012 Points 285 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Emmary, Amazing what can be done when someone puts their mind to it!
3:21pm • #6
115,713 Points 1 Featured Post

Great, positive post to show how these folks overcame the community's sadness.  Thanks for sharing.
3:21pm • #7
695,884 Points 39 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Emmary - A very positive post and thoughtful. On a side note,  I love your area and have been to Las Cruces many times as my folks live down there. A well deserved feature. Congrats
3:28pm • #8
590,356 Points 99 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

HI EMMARY! I've been following Ben's Bells from the beginning - it's a wonderful tribute to their son - and it brings a lot of joy when someone receives them!  Congrats for this terrific feature!
3:36pm • #9
507,885 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Emmary, I hadn't heard of Ben's Bells but what a beautiful tribute to their son.
3:48pm • #10
644,156 Points 111 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Wow that is awesome Emmy. 
4:23pm • #11
268,152 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

What an amazing way to honor those that have been lost to us and bring joy into everyone's lives.  I did not know about this at all.  Thanks!  --Krystal
4:25pm • #12
183,609 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Brenda, Sherri, Ann, Sussie, Bob, BLiz, Michelle, Lisa & Robert, Gabby, Diane, Charita, Justin & Krystal - Thank for your comments and I agree with you all.  It is awesome and amazing.  People like Jeannette are heroes to me because they take personal tragedy and turn it into something beautiful for their community.
4:49pm • #13
204,626 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks for sharing, very touching, beautiful story.
4:53pm • #14
974,629 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
That is really inspirational.No wonder this made it as a featured post today on Active Rain.
6:44pm • #15
370,361 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Emmary: G-d bless  - so sad a tragedy brought this about.. we should be kind to all without the ened of a tragedy.. LOL G
7:11pm • #16
1,125,345 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What an awesome story. A simple bell can be a strong symbol of so much more. 
8:52pm • #17
510,688 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What a completely inspiring post. Seemingly little gestures of kindness can make a huge difference in so many lives.

Gretchen
11:02pm • #18
593,481 Points 22 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Very nice story, Ben's mother was very creative in finding a way to deal with her grief.
11:04pm • #19
Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

what a great story and thing for people to do.
11:09pm • #20
229,018 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That is a great story, and a great example of how people cope with grief in different ways.  Kudos to her, and kudos to you on your feature!
11:33pm • #21
JUL
12
2011
651,667 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That is a wonderful story.  Thanks for lightening my day.  :)
2:58pm • #22

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