Sertoma stands for Service to Mankind. It’s the heart of what our clubs and members demonstrate in communities throughout North America. As we celebrate that service, we don’t just recognize the work of our members, but also their donors, sponsors, volunteers and partners. After all, we rely on the support of others to make our mission possible—whether at the international level or in the work being done locally.

One of the ways Sertoma has long celebrated these contributions is through the Service to Mankind Award. This club- and region-level award recognizes individuals outside of Sertoma who have made a significant impact through volunteer service, giving their time, talents, and hearts to improve the lives of others. It is inspiring to read these stories throughout the year and learn about the causes making a difference in towns and cities across the United States and Canada.

One of these remarkable organizations is Nathan’s Butterflies, the recipient of the 2026 Service to Mankind Award from the Binghamton Sertoma in Binghamton, NY. Nathan’s Butterflies grew from the heart of a six-year-old boy, Ben Cucci, who wanted to honor and remember his infant brother, Nathan. Though they tragically lost Nathan at just nine days old, Ben and the Cucci family have transformed their love and grief into a force that brightens the lives of many families through simple acts of kindness.

Ben’s first act was donating Nathan’s unused baby clothes and diapers to the NICU at Wilson Hospital, where Nathan was born. He handmade cards to be given alongside each gift and asked his mother to start a Facebook page to encourage others to perform acts of kindness in Nathan’s memory. A decade later, now a teenager, Ben continues to lead Nathan’s Butterflies as they support local causes including Mercy House, Little Libraries, Binghamton Boys & Girls Club, food pantries, schools, first responders and more.

“[Ben] has helped build a nonprofit that empowers children and teens to design and lead their own acts of kindness, supported by a network of community partners,” the club explained. “The organization also recognizes a critical unmet need: support for grieving children and teens. With compassion at its core, Nathan’s Butterflies hopes to help create a bereavement center for young people navigating loss.”

While Ben was unable to attend the awards ceremony—he was playing in his first varsity baseball game that evening—his grandparents were on hand to accept the award on the organization’s behalf. Fran and Bill Bidwell have been a vital part of Ben’s journey and have supported Nathan’s Butterflies since the very beginning. He attributes their support to helping him maintain a balance between his community leadership and a “normal” teenage experience. It’s easy to see that love and service are truly a family tradition, and that example has created a model of change in Binghamton and beyond.

“Keep kindness in your thoughts,” Ben said. “And remember, it doesn’t have to be something huge—small acts of kindness have a ripple effect and can lead to a much larger impact.”

A very special thanks to Binghamton Sertoma Club Secretary Deb Kafura for sharing the background and photographs. All photos are credited to Jim Kafura.