A ribbon cutting was held at Gratz Brown Park Elementary School in Moberly to celebrate the establishment of a “Buddy Bench Program’ earlier this week.

A news release says Buddy Benches have helped break down social barriers to combat bullying nationwide by giving a place for children playing alone to sit so others can come and invite them to play. It essentially becomes a positive place to meet friends, build social bonds and address the precursor to bullying at its source, before it occurs.

The Moberly Kiwanis Club led an effort in partnership with the Moberly School District to raise funds for four Buddy Benches at three Moberly elementary schools – North Park, South Park and Gratz Brown – as well as the Early Childhood Learning Center.

Officers at the Kiwanis Club say: “We are excited about this endeavor and how it may help curb bullying before it occurs, sowing the seeds of community and cohesiveness early in the lives of area children.”

For more information on how Buddy Benches work nationwide, visit http://buddybench.org/.

Photo courtesy the Moberly Kiwanis Club.