New Buddy Bench installed at Fairfield High School after 300+ pounds of plastic bottle caps collected

A new Buddy Bench at Fairfield High School is serving a dual purpose – providing a space for new friends to meet, and a way to help save the planet.

The bench, delivered January 10, was created using plastic bottle caps collected during a recent drive initiated by senior Devin Duncan. Devin is in his second term on Governor DeWine’s School Safety Advisory Council. Through his work on the council, he was able to partner with the Ohio School Safety Center to participate in the CAP Program (Caring About our Planet).

The CAP Program's mission is to educate children about the power of recycling, with the hope of instilling lifelong habits of caring for the planet.

Devin, also a member of Hope Squad, worked with the group to encourage classmates to donate the caps. The school's Work Study program students all helped with collections. In all, the students donated well over 100 pounds of caps, plus a substantial donation from sophomore Eden Watkins.

Eden Watkins standing next to the Buddy bench.

AP Kareem Sanders, Devin Duncan, and Principal Ryan Bellamy take a seat on the Buddy Bench.