Two years ago, Love Elementary School special education teacher Hannah Nickeson’s mother Ellie asked a simple question: “Does Love School have a buddy bench?”

At the time, the answer was no.

Today, the answer is yes — and much more.

Through the work of the school’s Earth Club, advised by Nickeson and ENL teacher Kiersten Applebe, students have not only created a colorful “buddy bench” made from recycled plastic caps, but have also built a program rooted in environmental stewardship, collaboration, and hands-on learning.

Love Elementary School special education teacher Hannah Nickeson, left, and her mother Ellie, right, thank all those who made the “buddy bench” possible during an assembly on Earth Day.

The concept of a “buddy bench” is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: a designated place on the playground where students can go when they’re feeling lonely — signaling to others that they’re looking for a friend. Popularized through a national movement and a children’s book of the same name by Patty Brozo, the bench encourages students to take initiative in creating a more inclusive and welcoming school environment.

Back at school, that learning continues in hands-on ways. Last school year, Earth Club collected more than 200 pounds of plastic caps. After a school-wide vote on a rainbow design, Ellie Nickeson then transported the caps to Green Tree Plastics in Evansville, Indiana where the caps were used to create the bench.

“We collected pill bottles, we collected caps, and we collected lids – can you believe those things made this bench?” Ellie Nickeson said to a gym-full of Love students during the dedication assembly. “It’s a pretty amazing example of recycling and a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day and Earth Club.”

In addition to the cap drive, thanks to the generous support from the Rotary Club of Jamestown — including leadership from Ruth Lundin and Marion Beckerink — the school established pollinator gardens and a peace pole. Lundin presented gardening supplies to the club during the bench’s dedication.

“As an Earth Club, students have further expanded their learning through field experiences, including trips to Allegany State Park and the Chautauqua Institution, where they explored native wildlife and helped plant wildflower seeds while learning about monarch butterflies and other pollinators,” said Hannah Nickeson. “The club also received support from Betsy Burgeson, supervisor of gardens at Chautauqua Institution, who provided seeds to extend the project’s impact.”

Ellie Nickeson credited the support of community partners and donors who helped make the project possible, including Terrie Tucker and Steve Still; Marsha and Hugh Butler; Carol and Steve Viehe; Kendall Crolius; Liz Kolken; Marie Duke; Maureen and Jim Rovegno; and their husband and father Eric Nickeson for their time, encouragement, materials, and financial contributions.

Additional support for plastic collection efforts came from Chautauqua Institution, Wegmans, Ryder’s Cup Coffee, Common Grounds, Green Tree Plastics, and area church partners.

Nickeson also credited Applebe, school social worker Cindy Schoberg, and former substitute music teacher Anne Dolce.

To extend the project beyond school grounds, every student and staff member received wildflower seed packets to take home — encouraging families to support pollinators in their own backyards.