Buddy Bench Helps Kids Find Someone to Play With

It’s a sad fact that sometimes kids don’t have anyone to play with at recess, but thanks to a new bench at a few Plainfield schools, those kids can find a way to play.

The Buddy Bench was created by a first-grade Pennsylvania student named Christian. He and his family were planning on transferring to Germany and he did some research on the school he’d be going to.

“He looked up online and saw this school in Germany had a bench that kids could go sit on if they had no one to play with,” said Meadow View Elementary School Social Worker Mary Beth Jasurda in a video press release.

Christian didn’t end up moving to Germany. Instead, he brought a Buddy Bench to his school in Pennsylvania. Now, schools across the world, including four in Plainfield School District 202, have these Buddy Benches to encourage friendship and kindness.

“I wish the Buddy Bench was here when I was in school,” said Charmelle Mallory, a second grade teacher at Meadow View Elementary. “I was a friend who sometimes needed to sit on the bench so I love the program.”

Ridge, Eichelberger and Walker’s Grove Elementary Schools all have the Buddy Bench. Wesmere, River View and Grand Prairie are all in the process of getting one.