Former star of “The Bachelor” and IU alumnus Ben Higgins was back in Bloomington to support an Indiana University Dance Marathon fundraiser Wednesday at local restaurant Campus Craves.
“Whenever there’s a community of people that can gather around for the sake of something good and positive and healthy, it’s something I want to support or try to support if I have the opportunity to,” Higgins said.
The event featured taking photos with Higgins and Campus Craves' ice cream creations. Higgins had his own creation, a cinnamon roll ice cream sandwich with oreo toppings. Campus Craves employee and sophomore Breck Jackson said a portion of the profits will go toward Riley Hospital for Children.
“When we got ahold of Ben, we were literally ecstatic,” Jackson said.
Higgins discovered Campus Craves through the restaurant’s co-owner and sophomore Hunter Haines. The two grew up in the same town. Higgins said he took inspiration from Haines’ grandfather when opening up his own restaurant in Denver, Colorado.
“I hope that it gives exposure to Campus Craves, and I hope students can come out and support fellow students taking risks and doing something that is remarkable,” Higgins said. “I also hope that it raises a bunch of money for IUDM.”
Higgins was a part of IUDM during his time at IU and said he enjoys seeing students become passionate about supporting Riley Children’s Hospital. One of those students was freshman Amanda Bonchik, who came to Campus Craves to support IUDM and meet Higgins.
“It is helping out IUDM and then Ben is here, so I feel like it’s two big things that were big to me,” Bonchik said.
Higgins said in addition to supporting the fundraiser, he enjoyed being back on IU’s campus and the student’s energy.
“There was something really cool about how passionate students get about that cause,” Higgins said. “If they can keep that passion moving forward, with IUDM, with Riley or with whatever socially responsible endeavor they represent, I want to be a part of that.”
