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.
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.
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.
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.
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 questions to everyone he met.
"HOLD ON TO YOUR GUTS!"
-Ben's catchphrase in all his car video's on his YouTube channel.
FUNDRAISERS THAT KEEP BEN'S LEGACY MOVING.
Community events help support Ben's Toy Bins, scholarships, research, and the future growth of the foundation.