Driven by
Legacy.
Guided by
Hope.
A nonprofit brand built on everything Ben Banks Jr. loved throughout his life, this is his legacy set in motion. The road trip has officially started—and we are just getting warmed up.
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$250,000
Ben Banks Jr Scholarship
at Blackhawk H.S.
$100,000+
Ben’s Toy Bins UPMC Children’s
Hospital of Pittsburgh
1000’s
LIVES IMPACTED
500+
Volunteers
on the road with us
1
INCREDIBLE LIFE
REMEMBERED
Trusted Partners & Supporters
REIGN 3D
CHIPPEWA AREA LIONS CLUB
STATE FARM – BETHANIE DELUCA
PUSH BEAVER COUNTY
EDWARD JONES – TYSON SMITH
BEAVER COUNTY AUTO
BOWSER HYUNDAI
JUMET CHARITABLE
REIGN 3D
CHIPPEWA AREA LIONS CLUB
STATE FARM – BETHANIE DELUCA
PUSH BEAVER COUNTY
EDWARD JONES – TYSON SMITH
BEAVER COUNTY AUTO
BOWSER HYUNDAI
JUMET CHARITABLE
Ben’s Story
A LIFE FILLED WITH JOY, CARS, FRIENDSHIP, AND FUN.
Benjamin M. Banks Jr. was a vibrant, happy boy from Chippewa Township, Pennsylvania who brought light and energy to the people around him. He faced Autism/ADHD, high blood pressure, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Liver Fibrosis, but those challenges never defined his joyful personality.
Ben had a lifelong fascination with cars. He collected toy cars, looked through car books and magazines, created toy-car videos, and later reviewed real vehicles for Beaver County Auto.
His life was brief, but the joy, laughter, friendships, and memories he created continue to move forward through the foundation.
“WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?”
— Ben’s signature question to everyone he met
“HOLD ON TO YOUR GUTS!”
— Ben’s catchphrase in all his car videos on his YouTube Channel.
Help Ben’s Legacy
Keep the Journey
Moving Forward
Every donation, volunteer hour, and shared story keeps Ben’s legacy alive and puts more families on the road to hope.
05
Milestones
The Journey So Far
Our history is told as a road trip: every milestone is a stop along the route,
marked like the highway signs, motel plaques, and mile markers of a classic
American drive.
Follow the yellow line ↓
…and tomorrow is bright.
Our Vision
THREE PROJECTS. ONE GOAL.
To honor the memory of Ben by spreading his love for toys, friendship, and fun.
STOP 1
BEN’S TOY BINS
Deliver toys, comfort, distraction, and moments of happiness to children receiving hospital and behavioral-health care.
STOP 2
BENJAMIN MARK BANKS, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Support students with special needs, or studying special education as they pursue trade school, two-year programs, four-year colleges, or other paths toward higher education.
STOP 3
BENJAMIN BANKS, JR. MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND
Support research related to ARPKD, intracranial aneurysms, vascular abnormalities, and better care for children and young adults. So that no child has to face what Ben did.
Joy In Every Bin
BEN’S TOY BINS
Every child knows the magic of tearing open a brand-new toy. For Ben, that feeling was everything. Ben’s Toy Bins started with that exact spark of joy: the simple excitement of choosing and unboxing a toy. We built this project to recreate that unforgettable moment, at a time in a child’s life that they could really use something to smile about.
Approximately 100,000 toys have been shared through Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, children’s wings in Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh Western Psychiatric Hospital.
100,000+
TOYS AND MOMENTS OF JOY
TAG’S ADVENTURE — 2025
Ben’s Toy Bins helped fund a therapeutic activity book for the Child and Adolescent inpatient unit at Western Psychiatric Hospital.
Opening The Road Ahead
BENJAMIN MARK BANKS, JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Ben worked hard to learn, focus, communicate, and navigate daily life while living with Autism/ADHD. This scholarship empowers students with special needs or those studying special ed, to further their higher- education path.
The program supports students pursuing trade school, a two-year college, a four-year college, or apprenticeship.
“Being different does not make someone less.”
A Class Remembered
BEN’S SCHOLARSHIPS 2025
In 2025, the foundation celebrated the over 200 students in Ben’s Blackhawk High School graduating class by awarding each graduating senior a $1,000 scholarship in memory of their former classmate.
This meaningful project was 5 years in the making and was made possible by the generosity, friendships, and support of the Blackhawk community. This was the largest expenditure for the foundation so far.
“FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS.”
Research Driven By Hope
BENJAMIN BANKS, JR. MEMORIAL RESEARCH FUND
The research fund supports work examining intracranial aneurysms and vascular abnormalities in people living with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, also known as ARPKD.
The project seeks to understand how common these complications are, identify possible risk factors, and help improve screening and care.
TAG’S ADVENTURE — 2025
★ Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
★ Erum Hartung, MD, MTR — Pediatric Nephrology
★ PKD Foundation-Supported Research
WHY THIS RESEARCH MATTERS
Understand vascular risks in individuals living with ARPKD
Inform future screening recommendations and clinical care
Identify potentially treatable risk factors for better outcomes
2026 raised $ 13,000
FUNDRAISERS
THAT KEEP BEN’S
LEGACY MOVING.
Community events help support Ben’s Toy Bins, scholarships, research,
and the future growth of the foundation.
$19,000 RAISED
BEN’S BIG BALL DODGING TOURNEY 2026
Community dodgeball tournament supporting Ben’s legacy and all three foundation projects.
$5,000 RAISED
SIP, SHOP, & SUPPORT 2025
A Ben Banks Foundation Event
$80,000 RAISED
BEN BANKS COMEDY BONANZA 2026
An evening of comedy, community, generosity, and support for Ben’s foundation.
Upcoming Event
SHOP EVENTS
Sip, shop, support 2006
247 in stock
The People Behind The Mission
MEET OUR BOARD
Ben, Marie & Grace Banks
Founders
Ben Jr.’s dad, mom, and sister
Nicole Rodgers
Consultant
Hopewell Middle School Counselor · Ben Jr.’s “Miss Nikki”
William Rodgers
Board Member
GM, Beaver County Auto · Ben Jr.’s “Mr. Bill”
Amy Cienkowski
Board Member
Third Grade Teacher · Ben Jr.’s “Mrs. Cienkowski”
Jessa Egger
Board Member
Special Education Teacher · Ben Jr.’s Babysitter
Addie Young
Board Member
Blackhawk High School Teacher · Student Council Sponsor
Why Choose Us
We Don’t Just Pass Through
The Benjamin M. Banks Jr. Memorial Foundation was created to amplify Ben’s impact and the profound joy he brought to life. We stand as a megaphone for his legacy, ensuring his spirit continues to inspire and uplift others.
BEN – WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Ben’s spirit and legacy drive our foundation at every step. Every project we create and event we host is deeply rooted in his memory, ensuring his impact lives on.
100% Transparency
Full financial reporting, open partnerships, and documented impact at every stop along the journey.
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
Let Ben’s foundation supercharge your corporate giving budget.
Lasting Local Impact
We design our events to spark meaningful connections and celebrate our community through the very things Ben loved most.
Testimonials
Voices from
the Road
Ben’s Toy Fund brings a little piece of childhood joy to children receiving care at UPMC Children’s and UPMC Western. A Hot Wheels car may seem like a small gift, but in a hospital room it can provide comfort, spark imagination, and create a much-needed smile during a difficult day. Because of this fund, Ben’s love of toy cars continues to touch the lives of countless children and families, offering moments of happiness, hope, and normalcy when they need them most.
Nicole Kelly
UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation
“Volunteering has shown me that acts of kindness through being involved with the Ben Banks Jr. Foundation, can have a lasting impact on others. Through these experiences, I have grown personally, strengthened my interpersonal skills, and learned the value of giving back to the community.”
Makenzie Sarver
Fundraising Event Volunteer
Ben’s Toy Fund brings a little piece of childhood joy to children receiving care at UPMC Children’s and UPMC Western. A Hot Wheels car may seem like a small gift, but in a hospital room it can provide comfort, spark imagination, and create a much-needed smile during a difficult day. Because of this fund, Ben’s love of toy cars continues to touch the lives of countless children and families, offering moments of happiness, hope, and normalcy when they need them most.
Nicole Kelly
UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation
HELP BEN’S LEGACY
KEEP MOVING
FORWARD.
Your support helps to fill Ben’s Toy Bins, give scholarships to students, advance meaningful research, and build joyful community experiences in Ben’s memory.
EVERY GIFT BECOMES PART OF THE JOURNEY.
