Legislator
Tom Cilmi joined students and staff of Connetquot School District’s Cherokee
Street Elementary School to accept and applaud Troop 1241’s donation of two
“Buddy Benches.” The donation was made possible through fundraising efforts led
by Cadette Troop 1241 as part of their Silver Award project.
The 8th
grade Cadettes, many of whom attended Cherokee Street Elementary School, wanted
to give back to the school. The girls
raised enough money to donate two benches, one to be placed by the kindergarten
playground and the other one by the older children’s playground. The Cadettes held an assembly and explained
to the students and staff how the “Buddy Bench” works. They said, “No child should ever feel alone. If
you see a classmate sitting on the bench, you should ask them to play.”
Clearly
moved by their idea, Legislator Cilmi told the girls how he was very shy in
grade school and could have used a Buddy Bench to help him make friends.
Legislator Cilmi is shown with members of Cadette
Troop 1241: Angelina Katrivanos, Karina Fitzpatrick,
Alexis Leone, Bridget Morley, Lauren Piel, Brianna Ramos, Ella Mills, Macy
Colonna, Melanie Emmet and Tara Dean.
