Name: Coleton Benham
Age: 12
Age: 12
It all started with the idea that every kid should go to bed with clean teeth, comfortable pajamas and a good book to read. Coleton Benham of the Conestogo Public School wanted every child to be able to go to bed the way he does.
“We do this routine every single night, so why can’t I give this to other families? So I started Brush, Book, Bed,” said Benham.
The need for toothbrushes, books and pajamas first became apparent to him after a visit to the Woolwich Community Services Food Bank and he saw that these items were lacking for the many children that rely on the food bank.
“There are 150 kids that go to the food bank every month,” said Benham.
Benham has collected more than 150 toothbrushes, 40 pairs of pajamas, and countless books for his campaign. As well, he has fundraised $658.81, with the help of a $300 donation from the Conestogo-Winterbourne Optimist Club and the help of his schoolmates.
“My school raised $258.81,” said Benham.
Coleton’s mom, Jenny, explained that the fundraising was necessary to help pay for the pajamas, a surprisingly expensive item.
“Probably the most expensive piece,” said Jenny Benham.
Brush, Book, Bed was entirely her son’s idea; in fact, his mom had no idea that he was leading the campaign until she visited the school and saw the cardboard boxes for donations that he had taken from home.
“He went to his principal to ask for help. I didn’t actually know that he was doing it,” said Jenny Benham.
The toothbrushes, books and pyjamas will be put together with the Woolwich Community Services backpack program at the end of August, just before kids head back to school.
“It’s going to be distributed with the backpack program,” said Benham.
Benham’s dedication to his campaign has been complete, as he has donated his precious birthday money to the cause, not something many kids would be willing to do.
“He’s been using his birthday money and what not to buy pyjamas and books” said Jenny Benham.
Of his siblings, Coleton is the only one to embark on ambitious and selfless projects like these and as his mother explains, it’s just who he is.
“He has a really big heart. It’s just part of his makeup. It’s who he is, he would give you the shirt off his back,” said Jenny Benham.
Benham plans to run Brush, Book, Bed again next year, although he plans on starting even earlier in the year so he can collect even more items so every child can go to bed with clean teeth, comfortable pajamas and a good book.
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