buddy bench Two friends on a buddy bench

Buddy bench - that simple solution to schoolyard loneliness - is catching on across the country in a number of interesting and heartwarming ways.

What is a buddy bench? Most of you by now have heard the buddy bench story. The concept was made popular in the US by first-grade student Christian Bucks after he learned about the idea from a school in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The youngster's family was scheduled to move there after his father's company planned to transfer him there.

While looking at the school's website, Christian noticed a peculiar bench that seemed to continually attract students.

Turns out, the bench was the school's official "buddy bench." It's designated as a place where a student can sit if he or she feels lonely. Then other students notice this and are encouraged to visit the student and help them make new friends.

Very straightforward, right? Christian's family never moved to Germany and the young man returned to his old school at Roundtown Elementary in York, PA. The young man mentioned the idea of these special school benches to teachers and the school's principal. They liked the idea and added the bench.

That generated publicity around town and in the local press. The rest is history.

There are now reportedly 2,000 buddy benches installed at schools around the US and more in 13 different countries around the globe. Stories about the bench keep popping up in the local and national press and it was recently featured on NBC-TV national news with Lester Holt.

The idea has become so popular that a buddy bench is now showing up in different places for various causes.

Buddy bench memorials and other causes

buddy bench Durable metal buddy bench with message laser cut into seat back

Here are a few examples that are sure to touch your heart.

In Wausau, Wis., an elementary school there dedicated their new buddy bench to Detective Jason Weiland, one of four people slain in a shootout. Weiland attended the school as a student and the staff raised funds to buy a bench in his honor.

To honor the memory of former teacher and principal Sally Carleton, a buddy bench was dedicated at Owls Head Central School in Rockland, Maine. A local group of parents and the Kiwanis Club chipped in to buy the wooden bench and a metal plaque was added a tribute to the educator.

For a community project, a group of local Girls Scouts actually built their own buddy bench and donated it to Westfield Middle School in Connecticut. The four young girls, eighth-grade students at the school, designed the bench, built it and then painted it in an array of vibrant colors with handprints, peace symbols, and other creative touches. They all earned Silver Awards for their efforts and added the bench as part of the school district's "Start with Hello" anti-bullying program promoted by the Sandy Hook Promise campaign.

The Rotary Club in Faribault, MN, is hot on the idea of the buddy bench and they are hosting fundraisers to put one in playgrounds at EVERY elementary school in their area. All the educators at those schools are excited about using this simple bench to help children mingle with each other. This also helps avoid instances where find themselves secluded and therefore the potential target of bullying by others.

Not only is the concept behind a buddy bench simple and effective, but so is the effort is takes to add one to any school.

You can purchase durable metal benches and then add a message of friendship that is cut into the back of the bench.

Or a school can purchase wooden benches and have the students paint them as part of a school project.

The idea doesn't have to be limited to schools either. Put buddy park benches near public playgrounds around town or other areas where youngsters congregate.

Christian has his own website now, Christian's Buddy Bench, where he continues to promote his plan to bring children together.

It states, "The buddy bench is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground. Let's spread the message of inclusion and kindness."

The idea is easy for children to grasp…and it works.

Implementing the concept is not difficult either. It just starts with a bench.  A special bench that creates a special place where friendships can be started and hopefully continued over a lifetime.