Bells
In 2002, Ben’s Bells founder Jeannette Maré’s life changed forever when her son, Ben, died suddenly just before his third birthday. In the months following his death, she and her friends and family began making ceramic wind chimes – the first Ben’s Bells – in her backyard studio. The therapeutic effect of working with clay, and the power of being surrounded by people talking and working toward a common goal, helped Jeannette and her family begin to heal.
Jeannette and her friends decided to make hundreds of the Bells and distribute them randomly in the community to encourage the kindness she had depended on to help her through each day. Jeannette had noticed how a small kind act from a stranger or a friend could be the thing that kept her going in any given moment, and she wanted to find a way to help others and pass on that kindness.
Ben’s Bells are a symbol of kindness and its power in healing, meant to touch others’ lives and make our community a more gentle place to live. Thousands of Bells are hung each year.
Found Bell Locations
Science of Visual Reminders
Many studies support the power of visuals; visual cues are tangible and beneficial tools that foster successful learning. They help improve memory and recall, and help people understand abstract, complicated, and complex information. Visuals can also elicit an emotional response that connects learning to the human experience and reminds viewers of shared values in the space or location. In the classroom setting, “Visuals are effective in encouraging students to participate in discussion, as they are engaging them not only at cognitive level, but also at an emotional level.”
Download the Power of Visual Reminders guide for more information.
Submit Found Bell
Tell us about where you found a Ben’s Bell, and what it meant to you.