The messages on buddy benches outside some area schools – including Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center and Bells Elementary School in Washington Township – are positive.
Each carries a different message: “Be happy,” “Be humble” and “Be thankful” are spelled out in bright colors on one bench. Another proclaims, “You are beautiful like a daisy.” Another says, “Splatter kindness everywhere.” And yet another states, “‘Donut’ give up your dreams.” And lastly, “Be awesome, be creative, be honest.”
They are all products of a Girl Scout Bronze Award project by juniors in Troop 56388.
Isabella Britt, 10, of Washington Township; Maddie Hancock, 11, of Stratford; Karci Hansen, 11, of Minotola; Abigail Jones, 10, of Newfield; and Supriya Souraj, 10, of Pittsgrove spent three meetings brainstorming ideas and finding a need in their communities.
They decided on five buddy benches, one at an ice cream shop.
“This would give school kids a place to sit and relax, draw, play cards or do something of their choice,” Britt’s mother Jennifer explained, noting that the girls put in about 35 to 40 hours of work to complete the five benches.
“They not only designed, built, painted (and) decorated the benches, but then they came up with a positive saying for each bench and were present to deliver all five to the different area schools in South Jersey,” she added.
Besides Bells Elementary and Grenloch Terrace, benches were donated to Loudenslager Elementary in Paulsboro, Edgarton Christian Academy in Newfield and Sweet Things with Styles ice cream in Pittsgrove. Troop leader Jennifer Britt said the Scouts put a bench outside the business because it donates space for the girls’ Bridging and Award ceremonies.
“I was proud to watch them each come up with their own ideas and then work together to merge the ideas,” she noted. “Overall, we could not be more proud of these girls, not only as Girl Scout leaders, but parents of these creative and dedicated children.”
