BenefitCrashers™ is a 501(c) (3)  organization that brings Hope to Crash Hardship™.  The idea behind it is pretty basic, bring together people -  gathering friends, family, co-workers, groups to attend and participate in a benefit put on for an  individual going through hardship. Reminding people their journey is supported & they are never alone. We share compassion and community with those in the midst of hardship.  

It is our philosophy  that we can make a change in this crazy world, holding each other’s hands instead of letting the world tear them apart.

It all started when…

BenefitCrashers was formed when this duo; Co-founders, LAURA HENRICKSON and LEAH MORRIS decided to team up - leveraging their enthusiastic  optimism to bring people together and make a difference in the lives of others. Focusing on supporting others and giving back, addressing real, immediate needs in the community.

This concept was something Laura had dreamed of doing from her personal experiences.  It was when her niece was diagnosed with Leukemia. They had just moved abroad. Laura felt helpless living in Minnesota, so far away and they felt alone in Belgium. Their loneliness broke Laura’s heart.  Another impactful time in Laura’s life was when her mom was in hospice care for three months. Being from a small town she felt the love from the community that surrounded her during her families hardship. 

Laura, a former special education teacher has always enjoyed giving back and spending time with her family and friends. She wanted an opportunity to give back with them. She started casually  bringing family and friends to random benefits of strangers. It was important to Laura that all of her family and friends could be involved- not everyone can afford to go to a Gala for a cause.. but everyone can afford to look someone in the eyes who has the cause and give them a hug, smile, participate in the benefit however they want-  anything to let the person the benefit is for that their story matters. It’s about meeting the real, immediate need- that we are serving to a complete stranger. 

Leah didn't have much experience with Benefits. In fact, when I thought of “benefits” my healthcare plan or 401K were the first things that popped into her head. Leah worked for General Mills for 16+ years with the ability to work with super great people, having roles of progression, flexibility and the chance to work on some cool things. She has always had a heart for making a difference in people’s lives and using her gifts to do so. At the end of the day, she wants the next generation, including her 3 little girls to work hard to leverage their unique gifts to make a difference in this world- by holding each other's hands instead of letting hardships and obstacles tear them apart. 

 2018 was a year full of transformations. In May of 2018, Laura crashed her first Benefit. As she went to benefits she would post on social media what she was doing and encouraging others to join in.   In June, Leah transited from General Mills to spending time leveraging her gifts. In July, Leah & Laura joined forces and crashed together—-and with no tee-shirts/ website / or formal process the movement began.

We really began to realize what an impact  “crashing” benefits had - not only on those who twe ‘crashed’ but also those who participated with us.  We knew the time was right for BenefitCrashers to formalize the organization and start to grow across Minnesota and expand into other states. We want everyone to be able to have the “feeling” that we do when we Crash someone’s benefit. The feeling of helping a complete stranger when they are facing the unimaginable. The feeling when you choose to take time to embrace someone, open your heart to them, showing up to something that is for them, and before walking in that day, maybe had never had crossed their path.