Lee McDonald of R.W. McDonald and Sons in Center Township says his goal to have a friendship bench like this one placed in every school to foster friendship and understanding among students.

CENTER TWP — A township businessman is trying to foster friendship and understanding among elementary students one bench at a time.

Lee McDonald of R.W. McDonald and Sons furniture store on North Main Street Extension recently stocked his store with brightly colored benches meant to be a literal common ground for students.

The benches are part of a Florida teen's nationwide antibullying project. Thirteen-year-old Acacia Woodley initiated Tiny Girl Big Dream, encouraging students to face their bullies to offer friendship. She used this method to befriend a former bully.

McDonald heard Acacia speak last year at a convention, causing him to get the benches at his store.

“Our goal is trying to get a bench in every school, because we feel that every school needs one,” McDonald said.

“The bullying statistics are staggering — approximately 2.7 million students are bullied each year, and one out of 10 students will move or drop out of school because of bullying.”

The benches are rainbow colored and are made from a thick recycled plastic. A friendship kit includes the bench, a marker kit for students to write words of encouragement on the bench, and a “friendship report” with ideas on dealing with bullying.

Seven school districts are participating in the project so far: Allegheny-Clarion Valley, Butler, Karns City, Mars, Moniteau, Shaler and South Butler.

To learn more about sponsoring a bench, call Nicole Clark at 724-287-1724.