Bob's Buddy Benches
We have reached each goal and added benches as our funds grew! This has been tremendous! We would like to give all families the opportunity to contribute to these benches in memory of Bob. We are thrilled to see we have almost enough for 7 benches, increased from the one we planned. This idea has taken off thanks to every donation, every share, and all of you. Hoping to reach this FINAL goal to cover shipping and installation.
READ OUR ORIGINAL REQUEST:
We are a group of friends, parents, teachers and students from Watertown, MA who have been lucky enough to be a part of programs led by a wonderful man, Bob Galante. Sadly, we lost Bob this year at the young age of 39. Our goal was to do something to keep him a part of our community, and our childrens lives.
To honor Bob, we thought it perfect to install a buddy bench at the Lowell Elementary School where he watched his afterschool students play. Bob influenced kids of all ages to be inclusive, responsible, and form a community no matter where he was. Along with the afterschool program, Bob was the director of Watertown's summer camp, Camp Pequosette, was a Pop Warner Coach and dedicated his life to the children of his community.
A Buddy Bench, much like our friend Bob, fosters friendships on the playground by providing children with a tool to identify those that need a peer to play with and encouraging those already engaged in play to invite others to join in the fun. One bench costs $500 to purchase. We hope to raise more than that to cover shipping and installation. Whatever money we have remaining will go toward a second bench thoughtfully planned by our new Principal, Mr. Oates.
With school starting in just weeks we only have a few days to raise the funds. (gasp!)
If you have been a part of one of Bobs programs or knew Bob personally, you certainly know how much this would mean to him, and hope you support us in this heartfelt effort. If you didn't know Bob, we would like to thank you for your generosity in helping us keep his vision of a positive, inclusive environment for young kids alive.
With gratitude,
Bob's Buddies