Girl Scouts from Troop 823 sit with staff members of Alakai O Kauai Public Charter School on the school’s new “Buddy Bench.” From front left are Scouts Syndey M., Malia T., Kaimalie K., Lindsey J. and Sadie S., and behind are staff members Katie Horgan and Joleen “Sweetie” Abreu.
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Photo courtesy Girl Scout Troop 823
Uplifting phrases are painted on the new “Buddy Bench” at Alakai O Kauai Public Charter School at Kahili Mountain Park, a gift to the school from Girl Scout Troop 823.
The Garden Island
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LIHUE — The new Alakai O Kauai Public Charter School just got a Buddy Bench thanks to Kauai Girl Scout Troop 823.
LIHUE — The new Alakai O Kauai Public Charter School just got a Buddy Bench thanks to Kauai Girl Scout Troop 823.
A circular picnic-type table with enough room for people to sit around almost all of it, the Buddy Bench is a place for keiki to go when they’re feeling sad or lonely.
“The girls from Troop 823 wanted to provide students at Alakai O Kauai Public Charter School with a ‘Friend Zone,’ or safe space, for school staff to identify the needs of children and help them forge new friendships,” Troop 823 representatives said in a press release.
Members of Troop 823 purchased the bench from Kauai Community College’s Carpentry Technology and painting supplies from The Home Depot.
They then held a Service Saturday gathering where they brought their families and painted the bench with positive messages like: “Be kind,” “Be respectful,” “Spread aloha,” “Spread kindness,” “Be bold, be nice,” and “Together is better.”
Troop 823 consists of 13 Girl Scouts from East Kauai. Four members earned their Bronze Award achievement through this service project. The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor for a Girl Scout Junior to achieve.