About Us
Benny and Me Gifts that Give Back
Benny & Me Gifts began back in 2013 when Rhea ran a small gift shop in Woodstock, N.Y., selling handmade bags, jewelry and gifts created by over a dozen independent artists. In an effort to align the shop with her values, Rhea made the store cruelty-free and began the Gifts that Give Back Program where proceeds from sales were donated to animal rescues and sanctuaries (plus a few human causes). The shop raised over $10,000 in donations.
In 2019, after relocating, the store's name was changed to Benny & Me Gifts and was operated solely on social media. This website marks the effort to bring Benny & Me Gifts back into the world. This store is a light that was created during total darkness to shine a light on whomever it reaches.
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Still raising funds, Benny & Me Gifts that Give Back, has donated over $7000 to animal rescues and sanctuaries just since August 2022. The Benoni Help a Hero Collection is dedicated to helping give back to those who go out of their way to help others. In addition to animal causes, Benny & Me Gifts also helps human causes such domestic violence and cancer/alopecia outreach programs.
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Benny & Me Gifts sells beautiful handmade wearable art, including bags, hats, aprons and more. We also sell tapestires, jewelry, crystal healing kits, digital custom art and so much more. All of our items are CRUELTY-FREE and VEGAN.
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Our mission is simple: we want to add positivity and healing into the world, especially to those who have no voice or are forgotten.We want to help make this world kinder and non-violent. Simply, we believe that if you want peace, you have to live peace.
About Benny & Me
The Benny of Benny & Me is my dog, Benoni. Benny was a rescue from Animal Lovers League in Long Island. He had a traumatic beginning to life. I adopted him on Friday, October 27, 2006 but it was him who rescued me. Benny and I were together 24/7 for 13 of the 16 years I was Blessed to have him. He was everything to me and the only reason I survived everything. Benny went to the Rainbow Bridge on March 28, 2022. He is still the reason behind everything I do and the strength that allows me to do it.
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The Me of Benny & Me is Rhea. I am a New York City native who now lives in Western New York (Go Bills!). The store helped me during a dark time and it gives me a way to help animals and others in need. I am extremely proud of Benny & Me Gifts that Give Back and plan to continue as long as I am able.
