A project that hangs small wind chimes with bells is becoming a healing remedy for grieving communities following tragic mass shootings.
An Arizona mom in mourning started “Ben’s Bells” after her little boy passed away from illness. She wanted to say thank-you for the many kindnesses that were shown her, passing it forward so other people would remember how kindness heals.
A few years later, the project grew, embraced by a shocked Tucson community following the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords and thirteen other citizens. Hundreds of volunteers painted, assembled and hung the ceramic wind chimes from random branches, and doorknobs and playgrounds around the city.
Last week Ben’s mom, Jeannette Maté, traveled with friends to the location of the latest tragedy, Newtown, Conn., carrying 1,000 bells to distribute to a community in need of smiles. Once unpacked, the group stood in the snow and rang the little bells in solidarity with Tucson bell-ringers marking two years to the day since the Arizona shooting.
