beingBEAUTIFUL

May 24th 2024 - By Rex Hohlbein

Benny, who is also known as the Stone Dancer, or the Rock Man, or the Mayor of Fremont, has lived homeless for decades in the Fremont neighborhood, tirelessly creating stacked stone sculptures of gravity defying balance. From those artful creations have come endless conversations, daily interactions, smiles becoming friendships, weaving our community artfully and vibrantly together.

Community has always been what it's about for Benny. It comes naturally to him as he's an artist, a poet, a musician, a performer, a story-teller, a lover of people.

For those of you that know about Benny and his stone sculptures, you probably know that he is no longer stacking stones. After years of giving us vibrant street art he's unable to do it.

Benny is in his final stages of cancer. The cancer has spread throughout his body. He's in the process of saying goodbye, of coming to terms with the idea of choosing not to continue with treatment.

If you know Benny, please share words of LOVE for him in the comments here on this post. Let him know how appreciated he is, how beautiful he is, how very important he is to our community.

If you want to help Benny with some financial assistance during this time, to allow him to enjoy himself as best as is possible, you can donate directly to his Venmo account @bennytherockman.

If you want to learn more about Benny you can also listen to the You Know Me Now podcast episode titled, "Stone Dancer".

A heartfelt thank you Benny from all of us for the beauty and love you have poured into our community. You have profoundly and beautifully touched so many people with your way in life. LOVE.

Fremont Neighborhood | Rex

Learn more about our friend Benny on the You Know Me Now podcast episode titled, "Stone Dancer."

In 2012, Benny making the impossible possible.

The story does not end here! Join the conversation on the YKMN Facebook page

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