Birthdays for Ben
DO YOU KNOW "OUR BEN"?
Ben Haggray holds a special place in Simon Says Give history as the first birthday child we celebrated in April 2012. We met Ben through the sisters at Visitation Monastery when his family was living in north Minneapolis, and that connection changed our lives forever.
What began with celebrating Ben's 8th birthday grew into celebrating his sisters' birthdays and maintaining a close relationship with the family over the years. Even after they moved to Georgia, our connection remained strong.
Tragically, in September 2024, Ben was visiting family in Minnesota when he became an innocent victim of gun violence while downtown Minneapolis. At just 20 years old, Ben's life was cut short, leaving behind grieving family, friends, and our entire Simon Says Give family.
To honor Ben's memory, and in partnership with his family, we will celebrate his April birthday by hosting a birthday box event called "Birthdays for Ben."
We held the first event in April 2025 by building 210 Birthday Boxes to celebrate what would have been Ben's 21st Birthday.
How you can help
Each April, we will host a special event to honor Ben’s birthday and continue spreading joy through our Birthdays for Ben program. If you’d like to be part of this heartfelt tradition, we’d love to hear from you!
Throughout the year, individuals, families, and corporate partners come together to build Birthday Boxes that bring smiles and celebration to those who need it most.
Interested in joining the movement or learning more?
Reach out — we’d be thrilled to connect with you!
For more information, email Dina and/or Mandi:
Dina: dina.simon@simonsaysgive.org
Mandi: mandi.simon@simonsaysgive.org
A Birthday Worth Celebrating!
In April 2025, we celebrated Ben’s birthday in the most meaningful way — by spreading joy to others. Together, we packed 210 birthday boxes, each one filled with love, laughter, and the spirit of celebration.
A heartfelt thank you to Innovative Office Solutions for generously opening their space and lending the hands and hearts of their amazing volunteer team.
To our incredible donors, Ben’s dedicated family, and our trusted nonprofit partners — thank you for turning one little boy’s milestone into a ripple effect of kindness across our community.
Because of you, 210 birthdays will shine a little brighter this year.
Let’s keep the celebration going — the best is yet to come.
See Ben's 8th Birthday Party
Watch Ben, his family, and friends enjoy the very first birthday we celebrated as Simon Says Give.
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