Teen inspires family to make a difference

NORTH TONAWANDA - As a way of honoring the memorial of their loved one The Benedyzcak family, of North Tonawanda, will hold a benefit in the name of their son, Jordan Benedyzcak who passed away suddenly at age 16.

Jordan, said to have always been smiling, was referred to as a kind hearted person who often went out of his way to help others.

“He enjoyed working outside with his father and gardening,” said Paula, Jordan’s mother. “He loved motors and anything to do with tools,” Jordan’s sister, Amanda, added with his excitement as she reflected on memories of her younger brother.

After finishing his school days, Jordan would often head to the First Baptist Church on Meadow Drive, where he spent time with his friends and youth leaders Lisa Kornaker and Richie Casato.

First Baptist Church with the help of Kornaker and Casato have gone well out of the way to let the Benedyzcak family and the community know they loved having Jordan at the church.

“He wasn’t even a member of that church,” said Amanda. “He just spent so much time there and enjoyed the youth leaders so much, it felt like he was a member.”

After racking their brains around the loss of their child and brother, the family chose to make light of their loss by giving back to the community some how.

As a result, the family with the help of close friends, will host a benefit for Jordan from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at Gratwick Fire Hall, which has been generously donated for the event. Proceeds from the benefit will be donated toward The Jordan Benedyzcak Scholarship Fund, which will award a college scholarship to one lucky senior who is graduating from North Tonawanda High School in 2013.

The upcoming school year would have been the year Jordan graduated from high school. As a way to continue the memory of their son and brother, the Benedyzcak family felt awarding a scholarship to one of his peers in his honor would be a great way to keep his spirit alive.

The student will be selected with the assistance of a NTHS Guidance Counselor and awarded the specific amount of the scholarship, (which will be determined at a later date).

If successful in their quest to raise scholarships funds, the family hopes to offer the scholarship annually.

Those interested in making donations of baskets can do so by sending items to:

Amanda Benedyczak

391 Falconer St., North Tonawanda, NY

14120

Paula Benedyzcak

230 East Ave., North Tonawanda, NY

14120 (695-8248)

Monetary donations may be mailed to:

First Baptist Church

530 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda, NY

14120. (694-5250)

(Please make sure to note the gift is for Jordan)

For more information regarding the upcoming benefit, contact Amanda at 563-8496.