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Buddy Bench is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness, foster friendship and encourage inclusiveness at elementary school playgrounds. Not all elementary school children have a vast cadre of friends, nor is everyone invited to participate in activities on the playground or wants to participate for a variety of reasons. These benches provide a place for kids to sit and have proven to bring kids together. These benches have been installed in over 2000 elementary schools in the USA and around the world. Every school has students who feel left out or intimidated and Buddy Benches have been shown to offer a safe place for kids to talk to each other. The project was originally started by a ten year old student in Pennsylvania.
History: In 2016-2017: Global Grant Project P-1510
The 4 Rotary Clubs of Fort Collins had contributed $7000. The project received $3000 from the District. Cost per bench was $476 including bench, lettering, and Centennial Foundation donation plaque. Each bench, with shipping was $400; $76 was for engraving. The school district along with Rotarian help installed the benches at little or no cost, Centennial High School made the plaques indicating it was a Rotary Centennial Foundation project. Through Rotary we have now placed 23 Buddy Benches in PSD schools. Currently these benches with shipping and engraving cost $506 each.
With the success of this 2016-2017 PSD program, the City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Department would like 8-10 benches to be placed by playgrounds in public parks. These Buddy Benches will build friendship and promote inclusion and provide higher visibility of the Rotary logo and Rotary activities within the community. This project is a collaboration with the City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Department (for installation), Centennial High School (for the engraved plaque that recognizes Rotary and the Centennial funding) and our Rotary Club. With additional funding from the Rotary After Work Club there is also currently a collaborative effort with Centennial High School to build Little Libraries, the Children's Speech and Reading Center and Poudre River Library District to supply books, and the Parks and Recreation Department to install the Libraries next to the Buddy Benches. These Little Libraries will also be identified as a Rotary project.
Current Request: The Rotary After Work Club would like to install the first three Buddy Benches by City Park playgrounds in 2017-2018. One bench has already been identified specifically for Avery Park. The City will be involved with our club in deciding where the other 2 benches will be placed. It is expected that these benches will be installed before the end of this Rotary year.
Funding: The Rotary Club of Fort Collins After Work Community Service Committee has committed $500 for this project. We are seeking a Centennial Grant Match from District 5440 of $1000.
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