Matilyn, a student at Patrick Cropland, and Kara, fourth-grader at Dupont Elementary, dedicated the “Buddy Bench,” on Wednesday afternoon alongside their fellow Girl Scouts. Both girls were proud to present the bench to the school, saying it was for anyone who needs a friend.
“The purpose of the buddy bench was that if someone is lonely at recess, they can sit on the bench,” Matilyn said.
“And some friends can come and pick them up and play with them,” added Kara. “Or if they got bullied they can come sit on the buddy bench and somebody can come pick them up.”
Therese Parker, leader of Troop 585, said even though this project helped the Girl Scouts earn their Bronze Award, a step closer to the Gold Award and equivalent to the Boy Scouts’ Eagle Award, she is even prouder of their compassion.
“We, of course, are very proud of them,” Parker said.
The girls received help from a troop leader’s grandfather, who lent a space for the troop to build the benches, and Home Depot donated all the supplies needed.
“This definitely serves a need at each of these schools because they have seen kids on the playground sitting by themselves with no friends that day and that’s kind of how it started,” Parker said.
Dupont Elementary Principal Carla Fizer attended the dedication and had the same excited smile as the girls who were standing around the “Buddy Bench.”
“We’re really excited to have the Buddy Bench installed at Dupont,” she said. “We’re excited for the kids.”
Fixer added that a handful of students have been chosen as ambassadors to spread the word around school, making sure every student knows about this bench. She said this will be for any boy or girl who might be a new student or who is feeling alone.
“If they need a friend then someone can come over,” she said. “I think it’s a great project for them.”
Troop 585 has donated a “Buddy Bench” to Harry E. James Elementary and will be donating one to Patrick Copeland Elementary later this month.