After William Osborn’s son Ben died overseas, he knew exactly how to honor him.

“I started the memorial fund five minutes after I learned of Ben’s death," said William Osborn, founder of the Ben Osborn Memorial Fund.

Osborn is setting up for the organization’s biggest event, the 11th Annual Baskets for Ben Auction. The memorial fund helps local children in need.

Since starting it 12 years ago, they’ve helped thousands of families.

“We help them out any way they need help. And that could be giving them clothing or bedding or even furniture, tuition for after school classes, help with trips," Osborn said.

The organization partners with 60 schools and 11 food pantries, giving gifts as small as a sewing kit to as large as a cello.

“The sad thing is these kids don’t need by choice. They are put into a situation where there is not enough to go around," Osborn said.

According to the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, in 2019, more than 700,000 children were living in poverty in New York.

Giving back for as long as he has, Osborn knows he is making a difference.

“We’ve been in business long enough now that kids we helped when they were six are now 19, and I speak to them from time to time and they remember," Osborn said.