Save Ben's Life

Meet Ben Staples: A simple man from Arkansas who has had a tough run of luck and is now guarding an American Flag he has erected in the middle of the thinly frozen Missouri River in Great Falls, Montana while living in a sleeping bag on the ice nearby. He's been out there weathering the blistering wind, ice, and subzero tempetures for a few days now. This man is tough as nails and is an American if there ever was one. We don't know Ben's full story; The what, when, where, why, and how are a bit of a mystery..But, from limited discussion with him we do understand the he suffered some losses in life and is tired, dissapointed, depressed, and wanting what he simply describes as a "Family".      Ben says that he is originally from Arkansas, and that he made his way to Great Falls about five months ago. He said he knows a few people in town, and has/had a job, and even perhaps a girlfriend, but that things have gone downhill and that has led to him living homelessly around town. He recently built a shelter and a small camp of sorts near the Central Ave bridge across the Missouri River that many of us took note of for it's eccentric vibracy with a Teepee shaped tent and array of flags. He made many drawings and sculptures in the snow and the ice that he knew we would enjoy seeing. However he was recently told that he would have to move because his makeshift camp was technically on a piece of private property. The thought of being forced to move from his encampment, and the only "Home" he knew was so dissapointing that he decided to take what few items he needed strictly to survive, move out into the middle of the frozen river where nobody would bother him, and burn his campsite down. Thus the frozen rivertop is where he sits today. Embattled and surrounded by the prying public, the news media, the Fire Department, Water Rescue, and the Police. When I spoke with Ben I asked what anyone can do to help him, but apart from requesting some Mountain Dew and water to drink, and hand warmers to keep warm, he has stated that he doesn't believe anyone can help or change where he's at. He states that it's all just words, that "Talk is cheap" and that "Nobody ultimately, genuinely cares enough to help in a meaningful, long term way". I hate to say it, but he's not wrong and he has a point. A damn good one. We all get caught up in our own daily lives, and even though we don't *mind* helping others when we're able to, we rarely ever commit ourselves to giving the kind of help that others truly need. An hour here, and an hour there..sure. That's easy. And manageable. But life changing help? Sacrifice? That's for someone else. Right? This man is hunkered down on the river, a moment away from freezing to death... Because nobody has cared enough to take action, instead of pictures.  I don't have all the answers, but I believe a good first step would be for us to band together and take the following steps. 1. Help provide Ben some food and water. 2. Help provide Ben shelter. I'm asking you today to help donate anything you're able to in order to keep Ben alive and provide those things. If we raise enough perhaps we could buy him a camper? A tiny home? Anything to help get him off the ice.   I have spoken with a licensed counselor who is also willing to donate their own time and help this man in any way they can. I'm hopeful that the rest of us can help get this man a warm bed to stay in. Anything would be better than leaving him to freeze on the river. All donations made to this fund will be used exclusively for Ben and for his benefit. Please help me, help him. http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/03/04/update-man-still-refusing-leave-dangerous-missouri-river-ice/393839002/