Fundraiser At State Fairgrounds Hopes To Raise Support Of Foundation Helping Teens With Mental Illness

A special fundraiser is taking place this weekend to help raise awareness about a new foundation for teens dealing with mental illness. Ben’s Ranch Foundation is named in memory of Ben McVey, a central Indiana resident who died in 2015 following a 10-year struggle with bipolar disorder.  

“Ben’s Foundation helps broker and place and screen young teens from 15 to 18 who are struggling with mental health issues and place them on volunteer individual  farms and ranches around the country for a summer or longer where they can work and live and get outside where they can engage with nature and livestock and learn and get the things off their mind that stress them” says Ben's father and founation founder Brose McVey.

McVey says for 18 months of his life, Ben lived and worked on a Wyoming ranch learning how to train Mustang colts. He says his experiences on the ranch enhanced and prolonged his life, and eventually formed the basis of a new program being rolled out this year by the Foundation. 
Those who want to learn more or support the foundation---are encouraged to head out to the Indiana State Fairgrounds..

“I’m out here at the Hoosier Horse Fair today and tomorrow and throughout the weekend. We’ll have a booth out here and we’ll be spreading the word, sharing information and giving away some neat prizes”

The foundation hopes to raise enough funds to help more teens get paired with ranch and farm families.

The "Bucks for Bucks” Colts Starting Challenge takes place at the Hoosier Horse Fair at the Indiana State Fairgrounds March 31st-April 1st.

For more information on Ben’s Ranch Foundation, visit www.bensranch.org, email info@bensranch.org or call 317.258.1007.