Buddy Bench is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship 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 Fort Collins Clubs of Fort Collins had contributed $7000. The project received for $3000 from the District. Cost per bench is $476 including bench, lettering, and Centennial Foundation donation plaque. Each bench, with shipping is $400. $76 is for plaques and engraving. The school district along with Rotarian help will install the benches at little or no cost, Centennial High School will make the plaques indicating it is a Rotary Centennial Foundation project. All PSD schools that had requested a bench have one now.
With the success of this 2016-2017 program, additional schools in PSD are now requesting benches. Additionally, the City of Fort Collins has approved 8-10 benches to be placed in public parks. These benches will support children at the parks and provide higher visibility of the Rotary logo and activities within the community.
Current Request: There are three benches that we would like the Breakfast Club to support in 2017-2018:
Our priority is to support bench installations at PSD schools. Two benches have been identified for specific PSD schools: Timnath and Putnam Elementary Schools have each requested a bench. We expect to have at least one more school request a bench. (If all PSD schools requesting benches have been served, we will then have one bench located by the City of Fort Collins at a public park.) It is expected that these benches will be installed before the end of this school year.
Funding: The Rotary Club of Fort Collins Community Service Committee has committed $500 for this project. We are seeking a Centennial Grant Match from District 5440 of $1000.
Addendum to Project Description (added after the project was signed)
Project was not complete. Funds returned to District 15-Feb-2020.
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