Senior Volunteer of the Year - Jim Bennett

Senior Volunteer of the Year Award: honors individuals age 65 and older who have taken action to make their community a better place to live through service.

Jim Bennett of Hamburg has been on a 22-year mission to bring a smile to thousands of hospitalized children each year. Starting in 1995 as a one-man operation, Jim began making wooden toys for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor after learning many children had little to do to pass the long hours while receiving treatment. His effort led him to found Bennett’s Beavers, a nonprofit with 24 volunteers who make and ship over 50,000 wooden toys annually to 37 hospitals across the United States. Jim has given more than 20,000 hours of time, driven more than 30,000 miles and raised thousands of dollars for his organization to ensure that all the toys are provided free of charge. He ships the toys undecorated, allowing the children to personalize them. “Not only have the Beavers blessed Mott with countless wonderful wood cutouts and special projects, but through their kindness, generosity and huge hearts, they have become our dear friends and an incredible asset to our programs,” said Anne Mende, activity therapist at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

You can find out more about Jim and Bennett's Beavers here: http://www.bennettsbeavers.com/