They say to give and you shall receive, but Anna gives simply because it feels good. She firmly believes that everyone has a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate. And she doesn't just believe this.she lives it. In addition to her namesake charity, Benson's Battalion, Anna stays involved in countless charitable endeavors. Her charitable resume demonstrates her passion and commitment to philanthropic endeavors.
After relocating to Pittsburgh, PA with husband Kris Benson, Anna started by working with local charities like the Mars Home for Youth and the local chapter of the Salvation Army. It wasn't long before she was involved with the Battered Women's Shelter, the Butler County Humane Society, the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Read Around Pittsburgh, and Saint Barnabus Hospital. Anna always makes volunteer work personal by getting to know the people whom she helps and, subsequently, maintaining personal relationships with them. While volunteering at Saint Barnabus, Anna met a very special patient named Joe Palumbo who suffered from Cerebral Palsy. Joe had an idea for a new program called Presents for Patients that would provide donated presents for patients in nursing homes. Joe passed away shortly after spearheading the new program, but Anna and Kris diligently carried out his dream. They remained prominent figures in the Presents for Patients program for years until relocating to the Atlanta area.
Like the rest of the world, the tragedy of September 11 horrified Anna and her family. But it also supercharged her altruistic desires. She immediately donated 50k to the Salvation Army, the United Way, and the Red Cross for families of the victims. But feeling helpless, Anna also decided to start her own charity. Using 100k of her own money, she initiated Benson's Battalion, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting terrorism through local police, fire, and public safety organizations. The Battalion has diligently provided necessary equipment and supplies, such as computers and bullet-proof vests, to aforementioned groups in order to better help them serve and protect. In February of 2004, Congresswoman Melissa Hart honored Benson's Battalion in Congress for their efforts fighting terrorism. Click on the link for Benson's Battalion and see what you can do to help.it's up to us to protect what's ours.
The Battalion is not the only organization that continues to thrive because of Anna's passion for charity. New York welcomes Anna with open arms as she continues to bring good works to one of the most important cities in the world. When her husband Kris signed his contract with the Mets, Anna couldn't help but get involved. Thanks to her power of persuasion and a little persistence, Anna got the Mets to agree to an extra million dollars to be used exclusively for charitable purposes. Half of the money is helping local protection agencies through the Battalion, but the other half is being used for charities throughout New York on behalf of the Mets' Organization. Anna makes sure that everyone benefits from her success.
Since signing on with the Mets, Anna has continued to work with several charitable organizations in New York and her hometown of Atlanta. She recently donated 50k to Tuesday's Children, an organization dedicated to helping the children who lost parents during September 11, 2001. She also contributed 25k to the Children of Chernobyl organization. She helped organize the first official Bring Your Dog Day at Shea Stadium with proceeds benefiting the North Shore Animal League. Here in Atlanta, she donated 15k to the Georgia Council on Adolescent Pregnancy, a group she felt obligated to assist because of her own experiences as a teenage mom. Most recently, she assembled more than 250 hygiene bags for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Anna doesn't participate in charity work hoping for awards and recognition; however, it is nice to have one's work acknowledged. She was recently recognized by the US Army Special Forces Central Command for her work with Operation Enduring Freedom due to the care packages that she assembled and shipped to soldiers overseas. In January 2006, Anna and Kris will be receiving the New Jersey Sports Writers Award, the Thurmon Munson Award, and the Alzheimer Foundation Award due to their charitable works around New York. But the biggest rewards that Anna and Kris receive are the countless thank yous from the individuals whose lives they touch; the differences that they make in individual lives are the biggest payoff that they could ever hope for.
© copyright Anna Benson Enterprises.