New York Educational Trip

Hi, my name is Katie Blades.  I am working to raise money to fund a Buddy/Friendship Bench for my little brothers school as well as other schools in my area.  A Buddy /Friendship Bench is a way to help prevent  loneliness and foster friendship on the playground.  The bench will encourage kids to be more aware of others around them and when they see a child sitting on the bench to go invite them to play. :)

At the beginning of the school year my mom went to have lunch with with my little brother at school and when it was time for my mom to leave he started to panic. My mom decided to go out on the playground with him and help him find his friends. When she asked him who he usually plays with he told her no one because he was scared to ask someone to play. My mom asked him what he usually did during recess and he told her that he would just sit by the shed and wait for the bell to ring. I myself have suffered from anxiety and know how scary it can be to make friends. It's still not easy for me so this really broke my heart. My mom told me about this bench that she saw online and I thought this would be a great idea.

I am babysitting and doing yard work to help raise money so I can also contribute.  Any amount will help.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.  I am really excited about helping kids know that everyone has a friend. 
           
                                                      -Katie Blades
                                       Be a Friend, Make a Friend!