RESCHEDULED: Benefit Scavenger Hunt In Memory Of Beloved Enfield Coach

ENFIELD, CT — A family-fun event is being planned as a fundraiser for a local non-profit organization, with proceeds being donated in memory of one of Enfield's most beloved and respected coaches.

A small group of friends has organized the inaugural Ben Aleks Memorial Scavenger Hunt. It was originally slated for Sunday, May 19, but has been rescheduled to Sunday, July 14.

Ben was a highly-successful wrestling coach and influential mentor to numerous student-athletes at Fermi High School for many years. He was elected to the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016, his state runner-up team was elected in 2022, and he received the ultimate honor with his induction into the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, also in 2022.

He served on the Enfield Hall of Fame board of directors and was a key member of the nominating subcommittee, as well as an avid supporter of the non-profit organization. Unfortunately, Ben passed away on January 10, 2024 after a courageous battle with ALS.

At the outset of the scavenger hunt, teams of four will be handed a list of items to be acquired, as well as photos to be taken at various locations in town. Each item carries a corresponding point value, depending on its ease or difficulty to obtain. At the conclusion of the event, the three teams with the most points will earn cash prizes.

The fun begins at 10:30 a.m. with check-in at Jimmy's Pub at 524 Enfield Street. Teams depart from the pub at 11 a.m. and are required to stay together in one vehicle throughout the day as they search for items - volunteers will be random calling participants on occasion to ensure each quartet is intact.

Point tallies, prize announcements and camaraderie begins at 4 p.m. sharp back at Jimmy’s Pub. Their full menu selection will be available for purchase, as well as a cash bar.

In addition to the cash awards, a number of door prizes will be given out; these are free, generously donated by area businesses, with no extra money required of participants to buy raffle tickets.

Entry fee is $50 per team, and all money raised will be donated in Ben's name to the non-profit Hall of Fame. In addition to the annual dinner recognizing outstanding athletes, coaches and administrators from the town's rich sports history, the group also provides a $1,000 scholarship annually to a graduating Enfield High School student-athlete.

To register your team, contact Tim Jensen via email at tim.jensen@patch.com, or by text or phone at 860-394-5091. Venmo payments are accepted at @Tim-Jensen-67.