Grants

The Foundation assisted Leighton who was being treated for breast cancer by paying her rent while she received treatment.

Grant made in April 2019

Lew is a person who was assaulted first, then in visiting the hospital, blood work and tests showed him to have prostate cancer. He was also in a car accident the same month with a $1,000. deductible. Because Lew’s ongoing illness, the hospital stays and ongoing bills that came with it, Lew was unable to pay his rent on time and was facing eviction from his apartment. The Foundation provided 3 months of rental assistance which allowed Lew to remain in his home and receive the medical care he needed without the fear of becoming homeless.

Grant made in March 2019

Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship

The Rob Benzon Foundation awarded two scholarships at the annual Launching Leaders PFLAG Scholarship Awards to two LGBTQ students pursuing higher education. The Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ramon Aquino and Levin Guerra.

Grant made in March 2019

Robin P.

A senior and member of the LGBT community, she had been been bedridden with multiple serious health conditions, and at great risk to developing a UTI because her health insurance denied her the correct type of antibiotic treated catheter she needed. Because of the financial burden connected with her past and current health issues of multiple sclerosis, Robin’s family found itself unable to afford the expenses associated with purchasing the catherters. The Foundation stepped in to help by paying for the much needed catheters with a one year supply though a grant in 2018 and again in 2019.

Grant made in March 2018 & March 2019

Mama’s Kitchen

The Foundation once again awarded a grant to Mama’s Kitchen to support their Home Delivered Meal Service program, a home-delivered meal service that provides meals to individuals in San Diego County affected by AIDS or cancer. The meal program delivery package contains 6 meals (a warm dinner for Monday, breakfast/lunch/dinner for Tuesday, and breakfast/lunch for Wednesday). On an average delivery day, there are typically 320 individuals who receive these meals daily through this program.

Grant was made in March 2019.

Special Delivery

Rob Benzon Foundation again answered the call to improve the nutritional status and quality of life of members of the LGBT community living with life-threatening illnesses in San Diego through the provision of medically-appropriate meals. This grant was targeted specifically for funding for the food pantry at Special Delivery San Diego, which purchased groceries providing 3 meals per day for materially-poor clients with AIDS, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease and other life-threatening illnesses for at least two weeks.

Grant was made in February 2019

Camp Erin

The Foundation was able to support Camp Erin in partnership with the Center for Compassionate Care of the Elizabeth Hospice and part of network of free bereavement camps for children and teens ages 6 to 17 years of age who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Camp Erin’s counselors run specially designed activities to assist these children with the bereavement process and this grant provided funds for camper backpacks and for the kids attending the camp. A second grant was also approved to supply all of the kids and volunteers attending the camp with much needed event-themed T-shirts.

Grants were made in February 2019.

Billy D.

The Foundation paid for the funeral expenses for a decorated Vietnam Veteran who passed away suddenly from cancer and his family could not afford the cost of his funeral arrangements.

Grant made February 2019

Margarito P.

The Foundation assisted Margarito who was being treated for breast cancer by paying her rent while she received treatment.

Grant made in February 2019.

The Annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Day Dinner

The Rob Benzon Foundation once again supported the annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Day Dinner. The grant provided funds to assist organizers with the cost of the food needed to feed the underprivileged and homeless members of the LGBTQ community. The event is held annually at the San Diego LGBTQ Community Center on Thanksgiving Day.

Grant made in November 2018.