Our first program in 2010 was General Giving. This initiative is designed to “give kids a little lift” at a most basic level. One of our first requests was for an $8.00 sewing kit. At some point, we evolved with donating a $1000 cello for ongoing school use. Of course, much of what we provide falls between these extremes. From school supplies to footwear, bedding, electronics, clothing, musical instruments, sports equipment, tuition… and the list continues on and on. This is the core of who we are and what we provide as we help level life’s playing field for those least able to fend for themselves.

Every year the Ben Osborn Memorial Fund, Inc. awards scholarships to local high school students who are pursuing further academic studies or trade school training. In each of the school districts that the Fund collaborates with, two students are chosen. Award recipients are chosen based on submission of an essay on patriotism or service and “Possessing the criteria of good character, charitable heart, current need, commitment to self-improvement and being service oriented.”

Interested senior high school students are invited to visit the website at: www.benosborn.org/scholarships and download the scholarship application. Applications and essays should be directed to the student’s guidance department or scholarship committees of the participating schools. The deadline for Applications is mid-June.

Adirondack Community Outreach Program (North Creek) 
Adirondack Vets House Baptist Church (Fort Edward)
Caldwell Presbyterian (Lake George)
Family Service Association of Glens Falls
Maxfield Community Center (Lake Luzerne)
Moreau Community Center (South Glens Falls)

Brant Lake: Adirondack YMCA, Bliss Family Farm Stand Chestertown: North Warren Central School Fort Ann: Fort Ann Central School, Superstop Glens Falls: Bluebirds’ Nest Preschool, Salvation Army, Family Service Association, Abe Wing Elementary School, Jackson Heights Elementary School, Kensington Elementary School, Glens Falls Youth Center, Village Green Apartments, Glens Falls Hospital, Broad St. Commons
Granville: Main St.
Hudson Falls: Maple Street Lake George: Usher Park, James St. Lake Luzerne: 52 Main Street. North Creek: Johnsburg Ski Bowl Queensbury: Freedom Park at Hovey Pond (2), Bean’s Country Store, Ben’s Mobile Book Station, Queensbury Elementary School, Montcalm Apts.
Schuylerville: Fort Hardy Park
South Glens Falls: Bluebird Rd Moreau Park
Warrensburg: North Country Ministry Route 9

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks
Camp Corral, Cornell Cooperative Extension 4H
Crandall Library, Crandall Park Beautification Committee
Franklin Community Center
Double H Ranch
Family Service Association of Glens Falls
Glens Falls Area Youth Center
Glens Falls Family YMCA
Habitat for Humanity
Head Start of Washington County
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Minerva Backpack Program
Minerva Back to School Shoes Program

Our logo of a teddy bear has a history that goes back over 40 years. Ben's Mother, Beverly, lovingly used to refer to him as her "teddy bear.” As Ben grew, her teddy bear became just "Bear. " It was a term of endearment steeped in love, comfort and his innocence. It was a mother/son feel good phrase that made both feel special. I would like to pass this special feeling to local traumatized children so they too can feel special, loved and cuddled like Ben. "Ben's Bears" will provide a sense of secure well being, comfort, and hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Our Bears are 16"-24" long to provide an armful of love and a message that someone cares. We want to help local children who have been traumatized by events and situations well beyond their control, such as serious illness, loss of family or home or abuse in all its ugly forms. As always, we wish to help in some way. This is our 9th initiative that stays within the structure of our mission to “give kids a little lift". It has expanded our reach and scope of those that we serve while lifting spirits of all involved. This will help level life's playing field to those least able to fend for themselves.

Double H Ranch
Warren-Washington Child Care Center
Children’s Advocacy Center of Saratoga
Catholic Charities of Northeastern New York
Glens Falls Hospital - Emergency Department
Kelly’s Angels
Essex County Sheriff’s Office

At the beginning of 2025, a retired Kindergarten teacher from Hudson Falls pitched the idea that she would volunteer and go to all Hudson Falls Kindergarten classes once per month and read stories to the kids for about 15 minutes and leave each student with a book from the Ben Osborn Memorial Fund. This program was a huge success and the students, teachers and Administrators looked forward to it every month. We recently received a $4500 Grant from Dollar General Literacy Foundation to continue this program for the 2025-2026 school year at Hudson Falls. In addition, we have decided to expand this program to all the Kindergarten classes at 4 other local schools: Fort Edward, Fort Ann, Whitehall and Corinth. Each school will recruit volunteer readers and Ben Osborn Memorial Fund will provide one book for each student for each month. At the end of the year, about 400 local Kindergarten kids will each have 10 new Scholastic books to add to their own personal library at home - how cool is that?