UPDATE:
We announced that we needed to bring in a profit of $10,000 from the Event in order to meet all of the scholarships that we want to give out. After the money has been counted, we are thrilled to announce that we raised at least $24,000! We cannot express enough thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, the generous sponsors and the enthusiastic participants at this years Ben Event. Our goal of $10,000 was shattered and it wouldn't have been possible without all of you. Thank you!!!
The results for the Hey, I Know You 5K are available online at Pretzel City Sports.
2010 Inagural Ben Event
Friday and Saturday, July 16-17
Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, Pennsylvania
“The Ben Event” will be a series of community based events kicking off Friday evening July 16 and culminating Saturday night July 17, 2010.
Planned events include:
• Friday night kick off including live music and special speakers
• “Hey, I Know You” 5K Race/1 Mile Fun Walk
• Saturday afternoon activities
• Sporting events for special needs athletes
• Motorcycle ride
• "Wheels of Time" Cruise Night
The Ben Event is designed to both honor the legacy of Benjamin Yorgey and sow the seeds of the Ben Yorgey Foundation which will provide high school graduation scholarships to a total of ten special education students. Nine $500 scholarships (one per school district in Lehigh County) will provide recognition for a job well-done and will give a small jump-start to each recipient for their post-graduate life. One $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the student who most exemplifies Ben’s character. This honor will be granted in order to offset expenses for the selected young adult’s first year out of high school.
Friday Night Kick Off
Our Friday Night Kick Off promises to be a very special evening of celebrating Ben's life in many different ways. Our evening will begin at 6:00pm. The Macungie Park refreshment stand will be open at this time and will provide a variety of food so you can enjoy the speakers and music while you eat.
Opening Ceremonies. We have special people planned to share in this time. You won't want to miss this! Among our guests will be PA State Rep. Doug Reichley and Michael DeMicco, the recipient of this year's Ben Yorgey Memorial Award. The night will also include:
The Motorcycle Ride
Motorcycles and those who owned them were favorites of Ben's. He took every opportunity he had to chase down and talk to anyone with a two wheeler. In view of his love for motorcycles, The Ben Event will include a scenic motorcycle ride beginning and ending at Macungie Memorial Park. The midway point for the ride will be Schaeffer's Harley-Davidson in Orwigsburg.
"Hey, I Know You" 5K
Ben had many interests, and sports were very high on that list, so it was very obvious that The Ben Event must have an athletic component that will allow all to participate. It is being named after one of Ben's favorite lines, "Hey, I know you." The funny thing is, he did know most people. The 5K race will start at Macungie Memorial Park and is an out and back flat course that promises to be very fast. Timing will be provided by Pretzel City Sports.
Fun Walk
Another way to honor Ben and his interest in sports and staying active is for you to join in the Fun Walk. For those of you that want to take part in the Ben Event but don’t want to run, this is the event for you! This is a great way to participate and show your support - and you can do it as a family! The Fun Walk is a 1 mile walk around Macungie Memorial Park with food and fun to follow.
Saturday Activities
In addition to the 5K and the Fun Walk, the Ben Event will host a hodge-podge of carnival, entertainment, and sporting activities. The carnival games, with the exception of the hot air balloon pit at $1 per person, are free of charge and include a matchbox racetrack, a duck pond, a rubber duck launch, a toilet paper throw, a bean bag toss, a hula hoop toss, a spinning wheel, plinko, a cake walk, an art pavilion, face painting and caricatures, clowns, and prizes for participation in the events. The entertainment includes the following special guests: the Macungie K9 police unit, the Macungie and Lower Macungie Fire Departments, the Macungie Ambulance Corps, musician Jake Kaligis, ventriloquist Scott Wagstaff of Wagstaff and Company, and Bob Swaim, also known as The Bike Man. You can check out both The Bike Man with his seven-person bike and Wagstaff and Company with his entertaining shows on youtube.com. Furthermore, the sporting activities include a swim meet and a softball game, comprised of athletes with special needs. Bring your family to cheer on the athletes and soak in the family-friendly atmosphere. Ben would have enjoyed every minute of this event, and he would have loved for you to come join in with him!
Chinese Auction and a chance to win a 50" Plasma TV
Wheels of Time will be selling $5 tickets to win the TV. Several local merchants have generously donated items from their businesses, including motorcycle clothing, gift certificates, passes to upcoming events and MANY more. Tickets for the Chinese Auction will be $1.
Both these exciting opportunities will be part of The Ben Event!