BETHEL — A nonprofit that expanded into Connecticut following 12/14 has announced it will be closing its local studio within weeks.

Ben’s Bells Project (Connecticut) announced publicly on August 2 that it would be closing its studio and operations in this state. The announcement on its Facebook page followed an email that went to many of the nonprofit organization’s local volunteers a few days earlier.

Ben’s Bells is the Tucson, Ariz., nonprofit organization with a mission to spread kindness through bells and kindness education programs. Ben’s Bells are wind chimes that consist of four or five handmade ceramic pieces in a variety of simple designs — flowers, balls, discs — that are strung in a leather line ending with a small copper cow bell. The top of the leather is fastened to a 3” wide clay flower.

The bells are hung inconspicuously, meant to be discovered and taken home, or passed on, to bring a bit of brightness to the person who discovers it. A tag affixed to each bell explains the project, its mission, and what to do when the bell is discovered.

In 2009, the nonprofit launched its mural program, which installs large mosaics of the organization’s Be Kind logo — a simple bright green flower outlined in black, with the words Be Kind in the center. Murals are made up of Be Kind tiles made by whichever group or individual has commissioned the piece, along with additional tiles, recycled glass, and mirrors.

The organization also promotes kindness through programs such as the school-based Kind Campus program, Kindness coins, and the Kind Colleagues program for the workspace.

Launched in Newtown in 2013, the Ben’s Bells Project (Connecticut) studio relocated to the Stony Hill section of Bethel in late 2015.

Unfortunately, despite the best intentions of volunteers and very few paid staff members, Executive Director Helen Gomez says the organization as a whole has been struggling financially for several years.

Gomez told The Newtown Bee this week that the nonprofit’s financial challenges “stem from a combination of rising operational costs and a decline in individual donations.

“The pandemic impacted our fundraising efforts and general donations significantly and we had to make the tough decision to close the studio” in Connecticut, she said via email August 7.

The decision to close the studio in Bethel was made in July, she said. Staff members were notified of the decision “at the end of July and they notified key volunteers a day or so later,” Gomez said.

On August 2 a post on the Facebook page for the Connecticut studio broke the news widely.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of our studio and operations in Connecticut,” the statement said in part. “Over the past ten years, we have been deeply honored to work alongside you in spreading intentional kindness throughout our community.”

Thousands of school children have been impacted by Ben’s Bells, “fostering an environment of compassion and understanding,” the statement offered.

“Your support and dedication has been instrumental in our mission, and we are immensely grateful for the countless ways you have contributed to this journey,” it continued. “While our physical presence in Connecticut may be coming to an end, our commitment to kindness remains unwavering. Our Kind Campus resources and merchandise will still be available online, allowing you to continue inspiring kindness wherever you are.”

Inside the Bethel studio a handwritten note on a whiteboard offered a similar message.

“Ben’s Bells may be leaving CT but we’re not…” the note stated. A QR code taped to the board had the words CT Kindness Continues printed above the code, with a second note nearby that said “scan to stay updated.”

Local History

Ben’s Bells was founded in Tucson, Ariz., by Jeannette Maré in 2003 in response to the outpouring of kindness she experienced after the death of her three-year-old son, Ben, one year earlier.

Following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14, Maré and a small teamof volunteers brought Ben’s Bells to Newtown in January 2013, having been invited by a few local parents and educators. Over 1,000 bells were hung in town during that initial visit.

The bells are hung inconspicuously about a community in need of kindness, Maré told The Newtown Bee that month, and not always just in communities that have suffered great tragedy, like Newtown. They are meant to be discovered and taken home, or passed on, to bring a bit of brightness to a dark place. They are intended, said Maré, “to be a happy surprise.”

A Newtown studio was formed later that year, one of only four in the country and the first to be set up outside Arizona. It was operational in Newtown from autumn 2013 until July 2015. In October 2015, the Connecticut studio opened at 32 Stony Hill Road.

For years, a core team of volunteers has continued to create the clay beads and flowers that are then strung together, creating the organization’s signature pieces. One Studio Director has been the only person to draw a salary.

While Ben’s Bells are hung in public locations to be found at random, Kindness Coins are $1 each, and given out to show someone their kindness is appreciated. Other items have also been created and sold but the original Ben’s bells — the wind chimes with the 3” wide flower — are never sold. Those are hung for those surprise moments of discovery, or only occasionally presented by a Ben’s bell representative to an awardee.

Proceeds from the sales of Kindness Coins and other Ben’s Bells merchandise — mini bells, ornaments, T-shirts, stickers, note pads, and during COVID, even face masks and gaiters, among other items — help support education and studio projects, and help further the organization’s mission.

As recently as May, the Connecticut chapter presented its annual Celebration of Kindness Day in Newtown, with guests of all ages enjoying live entertainment, food, drink, live and silent auctions, and the presentation of Adult and Youth Kindness Champion Awards.

A cornhole tournament took place just a few weeks ago, and even as recently as July 11, the organization was still seeking applicants for summer and fall interns.

The studio was open for business as usual on Saturday, August 3, and a planned vendor fair was conducted Sunday, August 4.

Financial Challenges

The problem is more than a Connecticut concern. Recent posts on the Facebook page for the main Ben’s Bells page in Arizona indicate the nonprofit is facing a financial challenge it may not be able to overcome.

A four-part post on the main page on July 29 was an “urgent plea to help us keep Ben’s Bells open during a very challenging time.” While the organization’s name and brand is well known, it continued, “our funding has not kept pace with our brand’s recognition and the demand for our services.

“We are now facing significant financial difficulties that threaten our ability to continue this important work,” the post continued.

Since that post, subsequent ones have continued to stress a need for financial support to keep the organization operating, despite impressive numbers: more than 107,000 students reached during the most recent school year, 1.7 million students participating in Kind Campus programs over the years, more than 52 bells given to community members annually, 1500 bells distributed throughout Tucson annually, and more than 20,000 volunteers in the Tucson studio each year.

The most recent financial report available online, for fiscal year 2021-22, showed total income of $1.02 million and expenses of $947,362.70. The organization’s ending net assets were $475,438, also according to that report.

The previous report, for FY 2020-21, showed income of $653,220 vs expenses of $803,805, however. FY 2017-18, the third most recent report available, showed $1.6 million income vs $1.5 million expenses.

Ben’s Bells Project (Connecticut) will continue to operate with its regular public hours — Tuesday through Thursday, 12-6 pm; and Saturday, 10 am-2 pm — until August 17. The studio is no longer accepting drop-in volunteers or to-go kit orders, however.

August 17 will also be the final day for the retail shop, general hours for the public, returning go-to kits, and requesting confirmation for volunteer hours. The studio is also hoping to do a farewell Gratitude Party “for one last opportunity to connect with our amazing community before we officially close on Aug 31st,” according to an August 6 Facebook post.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.