VIDEO: From the Tioga Hills Elementary School, State Sen. Fred Akshar, of the 52nd District, recently recognized 5th grader Ben Cucci as one of “Akshar’s All-Stars” for turning tragedy into triumph for his family and his community. Despite being only 10 years old, Ben, who lives in Apalachin, is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Nathan’s Butterflies
After experiencing the loss of his baby brother Nathan in 2016, Ben and his family wanted to “pay it forward” with acts of kindness after being on the receiving end during such a difficult time. Ben was only six years old when he lost his brother, but he still had a keen understanding how instrumental his school, his neighborhood and his Southern Tier community were in helping his family grieve.
“I wanted to do something to help remember Nathan because only a few people ever got to meet him,” said Ben Cucci. “I came up with random acts of kindness and it kept getting bigger.”
The goal of Nathan’s Butterflies is to spread kindness and to encourage others to do so as well. This idea was sparked by all that he had received and it compelled him to discuss doing similar kindness acts in the community. The butterfly theme was created out of an idea that kindness brings people hope. Ben and his family knew all too well how hope was a healing force for their family.
Ben began leaving Nathan’s Butterflies cards and a kind deeds and it spread quickly, even reaching other states and countries. When people “pay it forward”, they share their kind deed through the Nathan’s Butterflies Facebook page. Ben would leave baskets of toys at playground and beaches, leaving quarters in shopping carts for people and more.
As the organization grew, Ben and his “Butterfly Crew” have helped provide supplies for his school, kept food pantries stocked and fill his local “Little Free Library” with books. When the COVID pandemic hit, Nathan’s Butterflies utilized grant funding to help provide local essential workers with much-needed supplies.
“The kindness inspired and spread by Nathan’s Butterflies have spread across the country and even across the globe,” said Akshar, of the 52nd District. “We’re so fortunate to be part of a community that produces kids like Ben, who, at such a young age, has already committed to trying to unite people and spread kindness in his community and around the world. If more people thought like Ben, the world would be a much better place.”
To learn more about Nathan’s Butterflies and how you can help spread kindness, go online to www.nathansbutterflies.com.
Akshar said, “During these difficult times, I’m truly inspired by the amazing work and service that’s still being done by young people in our community. It’s important that we continue to shine a bright light on these outstanding individuals and let their stories be told. In a time when the nation seems so divided, I’m happy to continue supporting such a great recognition program that shows the best in our young people.”
