Buddy Benches



This program, presented to our club by Kevin Meyer, began in the summer of 2019. The “A Bench for Caps Program”, is also commonly known as  “Buddy Bench”.   The ultimate purpose of a Buddy Bench is to help reduce social isolation.  If a child is having a difficult day, they sit on the bench.  This is a signal to others that they need a “buddy”.

Every elementary school in Loudon County has received a Buddy Bench.  That goal was accomplished in December of 2021. The program continues expanding; branching out into new counties and organizations. Currently we are working this program in Anderson, Blount, Loudon and Monroe counties.  We hope to expand to Roane County. 

The bottlecaps are received from numerous sources, including community, parents, family, neighbors, churches and civic groups. Sponsor donations received cover the production costs.

It takes 200 pounds of non-recyclable plastic lids and bottle caps to create a bench. Non-recyclable plastic which would have end up in landfills.   Kevin collects, sorts, weighs and delivers the plastic to Greentree Plastics located in Evansville, Indiana. The company converts the plastic via an extrusion process into a bench.  Kevin waits patiently as the bench is created.  He drives back to Tellico Village with the finished Buddy Bench.  The final steps include, scheduling the Buddy Bench presentation to the recipient and the bench delivery courtesy of Kevin.

This extensive process has taken place 23 times over in a little over 3 years. Over 4,000 pounds of plastic lids and bottle caps kept out of landfills; and turned into beautiful Buddy Benches.



Click on the link below to download the Acceptable Caps List.

DOWNLOAD





 



Text