Every so often, something positive blooms from deep personal tragedy.
Cindy Pearson, whose 14-year-old son was killed while out biking in 2009, is proof of this mantra.
Now, Pearson is being recognized with a prestigious provincial award for her dedication in establishing the Waubaushene Youth Club (known to many as the Benny Club) following the sudden death of her second child Benny Chamberlin more than a decade ago.
“I was totally amazed,” said Pearson, who will receive the 2019 Community Award for Youth Service from the province’s committee of youth officers (COYO) during a reception in Niagara Falls next week.
Pearson said she was taken aback after learning of the award from Midland OPP Const. David Hobson. But Hobson felt it was important to nominate Pearson “for her outstanding interaction with youth” in the community since upwards of 300 local youths attend the club.
Pearson, who has three other children, said Benny was riding his bike along Highway 12 on a summer day in 2009 when a driver veered off the road and struck him. He had just finished Grade 8 and was looking forward to starting high school in Midland.
“Before he died, my son had a dream to run a youth group in Waubaushene that was safe for everyone,” Pearson said, adding Benny had a very charitable heart who always wanted to help others.
But while Benny never got to establish this particular dream during his lifetime, it remains very much alive in the hearts of minds of area youth and their parents.
“Benny would be 25 this year,” Pearson said. “I always say that they took away one of my children, but gave me 50 more.”
Now in its ninth year, the Benny Club meets every Tuesday and Friday evening at the Bridgeview Park Portable, which is located just behind the village’s fire hall.
Pearson has been helped since the beginning by fellow volunteer and friend Cathy Gutowska.
The club, which has had hundreds of members since first opening nine years ago, now has members ranging in age from five to 18.
“We have members from all over the place,” Pearson said, who noted participants enjoy a wide range of different activities including crafts, sports and games as well as outings such as bowling in Coldwater and movie nights in Midland.
“Everything is free for all of the kids and everybody’s welcome. Parents can stay if they’d like.”
Pearson said those attending also learn to celebrate one another’s differences.
“The oldest girl who comes is blind so she brings her seeing-eye dog with her,” she said, noting this helps give members a better understanding and appreciation of someone else’s world.
“I have some kids who have graduated university and still come by to see us.”
Students looking for volunteer hours are also welcome to come out and volunteer.
For more information or to become involved, email the club at [email protected].