A Buddy Bench for IzaiahA Buddy Bench for Izaiah

On August 8, a very special ceremony took place at Gates Elementary. A new “Buddy Bench” was donated, thanks to the efforts of a 5th grade class from Frank Hall Elementary, on the west side of town. Students there conducted a fundraiser and successfully raised money for a bench to be donated to Gates Elementary, in memory of Gates student Izaiah Lopez, who died five months ago.

In many schools, a buddy bench and is a special place at a school where a child can go when they want someone to talk to. Following the ceremony, Izaiah’s family welcomed all to stay for refreshments. What a thoughtful, unique gesture!

Thank you to our generous friends from Hall Elementary, and to Ms. Cindy Newendyke for your warm hearts in our time of grief. We hope the Buddy Bench will be a lasting memory of a very special young man, Izaiah Lopez.