Great Plains SPCA partnered with Ben’s Fund volunteers for the first annual Art from the Heart to honor the memory of young animal advocate Benjamin Cote. This sold out children’s artwork show included live and silent auctions was a great success, raising thousands to help Great Plains SPCA support the 30,000 needy pets it serves annually.

If you’d like to support this event and Great Plains SPCA, please consider making a general donation to Art from the Heart.

About Benjamin Cote: Benjamin Cote died peacefully holding the hands of his mother and father the morning of Friday, September 7, 2007 at only eight years old. For two years, Ben bravely battled and conquered cancer several times, never giving up hope that he would get better. At an early age, Ben touched the lives of many people, inspiring them to be better, braver and more purposeful in their own lives. A love of animals drove his strong interest in and dedication to veterinary medicine – a career he aspired to have one day. Consequently, Ben’s
family and friends came together to form Ben’s Fund for Animal Health and Welfare.

As a tribute to Ben’s birthday after his passing, his family hosted an Art Show in which his young friends and family members produced paintings with the theme “Ben”. The kids were instructed to simply paint something that made them think of Ben. The results were amazing. The young artists did a beautiful job creating works of art that represented the special place that Ben had in their lives. During the Art Show, each artist presented their painting and spoke about the stories behind the images they created. The evening was very uplifting and energizing for everyone in attendance, and we are proud to continue his legacy.