bender regularly contributes to many national and local newspapers as an opinion writer. he operates an online newspaper known as the "woodstock ontario independent news". he was awarded the community care and access "heroes in the home award", receiving commendation from ontario premier dalton mcguinty, as well as many other government officials and leaders for his role in arguing a human rights case involving summer access to camp programs for disabled children against the city of woodstock, ontario, which he subsequently won.