Ben Richardson's dad had planned to take him backpacking as a college graduation present.
But Ben's father died last year. So in his memory, the 21-year-old from Traverse City will hike on his own after he graduates. On the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine.
He leaves May 13, the one-year anniversary of his father's death at age 58. And he's making it a cancer fundraiser.
I've known Ben and his family since he was in junior high. In fact, his dad, Ray, had retired several years ago and started a handyman-type business. He did some work for me after I was divorced, had just moved into a new house and broken my foot. He was also helping a friend then who had just been widowed. One day he told me that working with some of us, he had come to know the meaning of the term "Steel Magnolias." After he died, I thought how he never could have imagined his wife would join those ranks, that soon.
Ray's death came less than a year after a diagnosis of a rare cancer of the sinus cavity. Ben was goalie on his Aquinas College soccer team, and his parents often came to games. It was after one of those games that they told him of the cancer. He'll never forget.
"My parents are always real positive people," Ben recalled. "But something just seemed different, especially in my dad's eyes."
Ray ended up at Munson Hospice House last May, at the same time that Ben had just undergone foot surgery. Ben recuperated at his father's bedside, where his mom and siblings held vigil.
"I'm so happy I was able to be there and spend that time with him," he said.
About a month went by before the idea for the Appalachian trek began to take shape, talking with his family. His dad had always been an active volunteer. In that spirit, Ben would do it as a fundraiser.
Back at Aquinas, his plan was adopted as a student project. It was named PennyBen, the idea being that a single $21.78 donation would equal one penny per mile. The goal is to raise at least $10,000 for the American Cancer Society and $2,000 to cover expenses for the four-month trek. Between donations and campus fundraisers, they're up to $8,000 and counting.
"You see on the news about the economic despair ... and people still find it in their hearts to donate to a group like PennyBen," Ben said. "I'm really amazed."
For more information, visit http://pennyben.com or write to: PennyBen, Aquinas College, 1607 Robinson Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
Kathy Gibbons can be reached via the Record-Eagle or at gibbonskath@yahoo.com.
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