05/20/2026
Ben's Blue Bags instructors spent time this week at Olympia Fields Hospital providing training to EMS personnel for EMS week. Thanks to Marcus Franklin from Olympia Fields Hospital for arranging this training at the ED. Olympiafields Hospital
05/06/2026
Thank you to Logan's Love - Logan Speaks and Griffith Lions Club.
05/03/2026
Bens Blue Bags experienced a highly productive April in recognition of Autism Month. Instructor Ryan Abens delivered presentations at the Highland Fire Department, the Gary Police Department, and the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association Summit in Springfield, Illinois. Matt Kodicek also presented to the Gary Police and T-Ball Elementary School in Crown Point, with special thanks to FF/PM Justin Gettler and Div Chief Bennett for their support. The Mobile Sensory Hub Trailer was showcased at the April Crown Point Tri Kappa Meeting, thanks to Adam Graper and Gabby Price. Captain West Burry and Merrillville FD participated in the Autism Walk at the Dean and Barber White Community Center. We would like to extend our gratitude to Keith Wegiel and the LaPorte City Firefighters for their Pancake fundraiser in support of additional bags for LaPorte County, IN.
04/13/2026
Ben's Blue Bags delivered Autism Awareness training for First Responders to 11 officers of the Gary Police Department this morning. Consequently, these officers will now transport a Ben's Blue Bag in their police vehicles, made possible by the collaboration between Logan's Love - Logan Speaks and the Gary Police Department. Logan's Love - Logan Speaks
12/17/2025
We are thrilled to acknowledge the exceptional turnout from Powers Health. They arrived well-prepared, enthusiastic, and fully committed to tackling every task assigned to them. In record time, they successfully completed 140 bags while concurrently organizing supplies, counting items, and providing invaluable assistance to our partners at Community Help Network with additional needs. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Powers Health volunteers for their unwavering dedication and hard work and eagerly anticipate future collaborations.
12/11/2025
Another great accomplishment today for bens blue bags as we presented today to the Region 7 hospital collation. This group secured a $45000 grant from the State Illinois that distributed 420 bens blue bags to fire and EMS departments all over South Chicago suburbs.
Thank you to Candace Peterson from Christ Advocate for the invite.