Last year, The Rotary Club of Needham Massachusetts installed a Buddy Bench at the St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Needham.  The idea is that when a child feels lonely, they can sit on the bench and the other students know to approach them and include them in their activities.  It has been very well received by the school, the kids, and the parents. 
 
The Needham club has just installed its second bench at the Hillside Elementary School.  A local mason helps with the installs for free.  The bench costs about $700. The Rotary Club of Needham hopes purchase and install Buddy Benches at all of the elementary schools in town by this time next year.