LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Ober Elementary School now has a new ‘Buddy Bench’ on their playground.
Last month, FOX5 introduced you to 8-year-old Phoenix who was trying to fundraise enough money to build the bench for her school.
Phoenix wanted the bench to be a place where students could sit during recess to let others know they needed a buddy.
“I felt it before where I didn’t have anyone to play with and it’s not a good feeling,” Phoenix said.
After FOX5 aired our story, viewer Luis Perez reached out and wanted to build the bench.
“I have kids also. I know sometimes kids get lonely and I know not all kids are willing to approach people and want to make a friend, so I think this is an awesome idea,” Perez said.
It took Perez about a week to build the bench and have it delivered to the school to surprise Phoenix.
“I was really looking forward to seeing her reaction and how they were going to feel about it,” Perez said.
Phoenix says she can’t wait for the bench to make a difference, “Now kids can be really happy, and they will have a friend to play with.”
Phoenix also says that with the funds she raised to build the bench, she will be paying it forward to help another school have its own “Buddy Bench.”
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
