The Oak Lawn Park District Preschool is giving plastic a second life with help from its young learners, their families and the wider community.
The preschool has teamed up with Niagara Cares and the National Recreation and Parks Association to collect 1,000 pieces of recyclable plastics. Once the goal is reached, the materials will be transformed into a “Buddy Bench” — a symbol of friendship and inclusion — and placed outside the Oak View Center & Museum.
“The Buddy Bench serves a couple of important purposes,” said Justin Waters, marketing manager for the Oak Lawn Park District. “First, it gives children the chance to be included in play and helps foster friendships. Second, the project allows preschoolers to learn about the importance of recycling while actively involving the community in the process.”
Donations are being accepted through Oct. 15, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Oak View Center, 4625 W. 110th Street.
A decorated collection bin has been set up for items such as milk jugs, shampoo and detergent bottles, over-the-counter medicine bottles, and water bottle caps. All donations must be cleaned and marked with the No. 2 recycling symbol.
“The donated materials will be collected and melted down to create the Buddy Bench,” Waters said. “Everyday items like milk jugs, detergent bottles, and bottle caps will be transformed into something both durable and meaningful for our preschool.”
The preschool also planned to gather materials at its annual Conservation Jamboree on Sept. 27 at the Oak Lawn Park District Prairie.
“This effort connects directly to our Conservation Jamboree, which celebrates improving and caring for our natural areas,” Waters said. “By tying the bench project to the Jamboree, we can showcase the many ways the Park District serves the community. If we can help preschoolers learn, increase inclusion and play among children, and bring the community together through recycling, then we’ve achieved several important goals at once.”
The bench effort is part of Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project, started in 2017 by then-8-year-old Sammie Vance. After hearing about the idea of buddy benches — special seats placed on school playgrounds to help children find friends — Sammie set out to create one for her school using recycled plastic. Her model has since grown into a nationwide movement.
Niagara Cares, the philanthropic arm of Niagara Bottling, supports efforts that enrich the lives of children and families. The National Recreation and Parks Association is contributing through its “Show Your Park Some Love” campaign, which promotes recycling and community engagement across the country.