Evening Kiwanis donates Buddy Benches to Hannibal School District, St. John’s Lutheran, Hannibal library

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Evening Kiwanis of Hannibal recently delivered 16 Buddy Benches to the Hannibal School District, St. John’s Lutheran School and the Hannibal Free Public Library.

These benches are designed to support student well-being by providing a place where students can signal their need for a friend to play with or talk to. Buddy Benches aim to reduce loneliness and prevent bullying by fostering peer connections on school playgrounds. 

The benches were crafted and painted by high school students in Derek Greening’s Agricultural Construction class at Hannibal Career and Technical Center.

“Working with Mr. Greening’s students has been a great experience. They’ve been diligently building these benches since November 2023. Mr. Greening designed them superbly, and the students executed the build flawlessly,” Vicki Witthaus, president of the Evening Kiwanis, said in a press release.

“These Buddy Benches exemplify the outstanding results we achieve when we unite for our children’s well-being. It was important to us to partner with the school system as much as possible for the project, and it has been truly rewarding.”

Communication Specialist Andrea Campbell said the Hannibal School District is grateful for the donation and for what it provides to its students.

“Thank you, Evening Kiwanis of Hannibal, for your continued support and for helping us make a positive impact in the lives of our students,” Campbell said.