Benken

We're welcoming a new Benken Gives community partner for the month of June: Blue Star Mothers! Across the country, Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. chapters serve active-duty military, veterans, Gold Star families, and their loved ones with compassion, consistency, and care.

This organization is especially dear to our hearts here at Benken as one of our staff members, Lara Duncan, is the 2nd Vice President of the Miami Valley Troop Center Blue Star Mothers.

Here is a message from Lara:
"Blue Star Mothers is a national organization made up of mothers of veterans and current military service members. They support current military, veterans and each other. The Miami Valley chapter in Dayton has a troop center that sends care packages every week to US troops that are deployed overseas. This effort of support is very dear to my heart as I have four children serving or have served in the military - 3 in the Army and one Marine. Having been through five deployments (4 of which were combat deployments), I know just how much these care packages mean to the troops serving overseas. These simple gestures, are so uplifting during Deployments, whether it is during tumultuous times, or just simply being so far away from modern conveniences and family. On a deployment, there are no holidays, there are no weekends. They work long hours and miss so many things at home - birthdays, holidays, funerals, new babies. As a mother, you just want to be able to wrap your arms around them in a hug. The care package is sometimes the only hug you can give them. Please help us to send these Care packages. While these boxes may originate from Dayton, Ohio, they are touching Americans troops from all over and reminding them that are people back home that appreciate the sacrifices they are making every day.

My experience as a Blue Star Mothers- I joined this organization during my oldest son’s first deployment. I wanted a way to connect with other mothers who had experienced the fears and anxious moments of having a loved one deployed overseas. Not only did I find advice and commraderie, but I found a path to funnel my energies into positives of sending care packages to troops deployed overseas. all four of my children are or have served in the military. I have one son that is a marine corps veteran. Two sons in the army..one a field artillery captain and one a Sapper. And my daughter is a chinook pilot in the Army. All have served in combat roles overseas to defend this great nation. "

20% of proceeds made from the Benken Gives Collection will go to our friends at Blue Star Mothers to support their mission.

Operation Fill Your Garden is well underway but tomorrow (Saturday 5/30) we've got a little extra fun in store for you!!

Not only can you enjoy BOGO 3" annuals and peat pot veggies during our sale, but Lindsay will also be leading 2 free Early Bird Walk-And-Talks around the property and her personal garden tomorrow morning. Attendees will learn about her favorite plants, get a 5$ Benken voucher, and get to meet our Head Grower and Floral Design Team Manager!

Walk-and-talks will kick off at 7am and 9am tomorrow.

PLUS: We'll have the Benken Bar open and serving up Penny Pours of Mimosas and Pink Petunias! We'll be serving up FREE hot dogs around lunch time, and we've created a little scavenger hunt that your kiddos can participate in while you're here.

You won't want to miss out on the fun!