BETHEL — Ben’s Bells Project Connecticut hosted its annual Celebration of Kindness Day (CKD) on the evening of May 22 at Michael’s at the Grove in Bethel.

Planning for the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser started back in October with the CKD Committee, which consisted of Jenny Avari, Meri Rosenthal, Meg Jones, Roxanne Novella, Theresa Kelly, Stewart Teed, Mary Johnson, and Karen Mello.

Ben’s Bells founder Jeannette Maré flew in from Arizona to be with everyone in person and helped MC a portion of the night.

While the event surpassed the group’s financial goals, it also helped grow Ben’s Bells mission of teaching individuals and communities about the positive impact of intentional kindness and inspired people to practice kindness as a way of life.

“There were moments [at the CKD] that truly demonstrated how kindness connects all of us!” said Cody Foss, Regional Manager for Ben’s Bells Project Connecticut.

Some highlights of the night were the inaugural Kind Campus Award and Kind Colleagues Award.

The Kind Campus Award was given to Great Plain Elementary School in Danbury. The school was nominated by Clare Orloff of New Fairfield for its many acts of kindness to schools near and far that have been affected by tragedy and violence. The school was also acknowledged for its fifth No One Eats Alone Day initiative that continues to encourage students to show acceptance and inclusion of others.

“Great Plain Elementary School has truly displayed what it means to be a Ben’s Bells Connecticut Kind Campus, spreading intentional kindness within their school and community,” Mr Foss said.

Danbury Kia General Sales Manager Sal Sinardi received the first Kind Colleagues Award after being nominated by Jenn Lawlor of Bethel.

“Jenn recently lost her daughter, Emily, to gun violence. Emily’s car was leased under Jenn and her husband’s name. Keeping the car was never an option, as the person responsible for ending her daughter’s life was the last one to drive the car,” Mr Foss said.

When the family explained their tragic loss to Mr Sinardi, he immediately wrote a check to Kia Corporate to pay off the car’s lease.

In addition to the award ceremony, guests were invited to participate in a silent and live auction; paint kindness coins; and enjoy whiskey, wine, and beer tastings throughout the night. There was also live musical entertainment by The Traveling Danburys and their special guest, Andrew Hyra, as well as exclusive “Be Kind” splatter paint necklaces created by Newtown artist Dave Brooker for sale at the Shop Kind pop-up shop.

An unexpected act of kindness that left many in attendance teary-eyed took place during the live auction of the highly desired, handmade mosaic benches.

“A gentleman named Bob was trying to win a custom mosaic bench. What nobody knew was that he wanted the bench to honor his wife, who had recently succumbed to cancer,” Mr Foss explained. “Even though Bob aggressively bid on the bench that he wanted, he was outbid by another guest at the event. When this kind woman discovered why Bob wanted the bench, she generously donated the bench to him.”

Upon the announcement that the bench would be given to the gentleman to honor his late wife, the two strangers embraced in front of the crowded room.

“When Bob successfully bid on a second bench, his joy was further elevated when a kind bidder wrote a check to contribute to the cost that Bob spent on winning the bench,” Mr Foss recalled. “Kindness simply took over the evening, and we all felt it.”

Proceeds raised from the fundraiser went towards the Ben’s Bells Project’s kindness education and studio programming.

For more information about Ben’s Bells Project, visit [naviga:u]bensbells.org[/naviga:u].