Edgecomb students have a new place to find a friend on the playground. A “Buddy Bench” was donated to the school by three students who wanted to make the playground a more inviting place for lonely classmates.

Sixth graders Hunter Brewer and Jake Kelley along with fourth grader William Clifford presented the bench, which they helped pay for and assemble. The students are part of school Guidance Counselor Haley Bezon’s Response to Intervention class.

Buddy Benches are being used all over the country at schools as a place for students who feel lonely or out of place to go. The bench is also a place for students to avoid conflicts with classmates, according to Bezon.

“It gives those students a place to go so their classmates can see they need a buddy to play with,” Bezon said.

The three students volunteered at the Hidden Valley Nature Center as part of a community service project. The trio raised $100 towards the $200 bench by stacking wood and cleaning around the center’s headquarters.

Edgecomb Eddy students raised additional funds by participating in a contest. Students placed money in the coin jar of the teacher they wanted to see swim during the class trip June 14 to Damariscotta Lake National Park. The contest collected $150.17, according to Principal Lisa Clarke. The teacher receiving the most contributions was Nancy Rose. Students placed $63 into her coin jar.