When Walton CSD junior Eve Foster was in third grade, she read about a buddy bench. She liked the idea so much that she wrote to the principal requesting one for Townsend Elementary.
Nine years later, her grandmother donated a buddy bench to Townsend in memory of her aunt, Margaret Jackson Gladstone Bailey.
For many years, Margaret was a driving force in Walton as an active business owner with civic pride and dedication. Park Studio has donated the plaque that will identify the bench.
The purpose of a buddy bench is to be available to children who might feel lonely and need a friend. If a child sits there, a friend will understand and come to play. The same is if children see somebody sitting there, they know to go reach out a hand in friendship.
A special thank you to the Backus and Foster families for this addition to the Townsend Elementary playground.