Supporting Ben

EPHRATA - After 17-year-old Ben Belino was injured in a wreck Oct. 10, the Columbia Basin community has stepped up to support Belino and his family.

“It’s really overwhelming the support that we’re receiving from everybody,” said Ariel Belino, Ben’s father. “There are people that we don't know that know us (that have reached out and shown support) and we’re so thankful and grateful. It’s amazing how the community stepped up.”

Ben was seriously injured when he was hit head-on while traveling on State Route 28 near Quincy. An oncoming car veered into Ben’s lane and hit him. The other driver died as a result and Ben was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

“He is recovering well,” said Ariel. “We’re hoping either Thanksgiving or Christmas (for Ben to come home).”

Ariel said the extent of Ben’s injuries include broken legs, broken arms and internal injuries.

Ariel said Ben is in good spirits and is stable now but has more surgeries scheduled to repair injuries sustained in the accident.

Ariel said as soon as the high school junior is able to use his hands, he will be working to catch and keep up with his schoolwork to stay on track to graduate as part of the class of 2024.

Ben is very active as a cross country runner and Civil Air Patrol cadet and a cadet firefighter with Grant County Fire District 3.

People have shown support through donations to local blood drives on behalf of Ben. With the extent of Ben’s injuries, he has required several blood transfusions during surgeries.

“It’s that blood collection process (of having blood drives) that is so paramount, in general, making sure that when people need blood, we have it available,” said Audrey Thompson, American Red Cross Account Manager.

The American Red Cross held a blood drive at the Ephrata Recreation Center, assisted by the American Legion Family of Art Semro Post and Unit 28 on Oct. 19.

From 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the drive had a total of 55 appointments as well as walk-ins. Initially, they were not going to allow walk-ins but chose to open them up for people to donate on behalf of Ben.

“One person’s donation can save up to three lives,” said Thompson.

Thompson said she estimated by opening up to take walk-ins, they would collect 30 extra units of blood.

“A community like this who steps up donates 30 extra units, that impacts 100 lives or what it could do is save one person’s life (who has a critical injury),” Thompson said.

There was also a blood drive in Quincy on Oct. 18 that was sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on behalf of Belino.

Many different areas of the community have stepped up to also help with the financial costs of Ben’s medical expenses and the cost for his family to travel to visit him.

Most recently, Ephrata Pita Pit held a fundraiser breakfast for the Belino family on Oct. 23.

Along with the breakfast, there was a table set up with baked sweets, shirts saying “I run for Ben” order sheets and a raffle basket.

Pam Leseman, owner of Ephrata and Moses Lake Pita Pit locations, said she holds fundraisers at her business all the time for different community members facing different challenges and she feels happy that community members feel comfortable enough approaching her to ask to hold the fundraisers at her business.

“Now I feel like I’m training these kids right because the kids call me, ‘hey can we do a fundraiser for our classmate?’ and I said absolutely,” Leseman said.

Leseman also said that her grandkids went through St Rose of Lima Catholic School in Ephrata with Ben so she knew the same night what had happened to Ben and knew she wanted to do something.

The breakfast and baked goods were set up to be bought by donation rather than a set cost.

Part of the reasoning was to bring in as many people and families as possible and because community members stepped up and donated the food and supplies or money for the food and supplies so that no cost came to Leseman.

“Our community is so awesome,” said Leseman.

She also said that the breakfast was cooked and served by classmates of Ben who surprised her the morning of, ready to be put to work.

“Yesterday I knew of four kids from the high school that were coming to help, that’s all,” Leseman said. “So I asked two of my grandkids, because they’re high schoolers, to come and help. Then today, I had over 20 kids here.”

Leseman said they raised $7,350 total between the breakfast and bake sale.

The GoFundMe set up for the Belino family has raised $6,460 as of Oct. 25. Leseman said that if people would prefer to donate in-person rather than to the GoFundMe, she accepts donations at the Ephrata Pita Pit or donations can also be made at the St Rose of Lima Catholic School.

Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.