When Kirsten McCollum’s son Bailey, was on the playground, everyone would get involve. He was not one to keep anyone alone and ignored.

Following in his example, his mother brought the concept of Buddy Benches hat she named after him. The concept is simple, anyone who does not have anyone to play with sits on the Buddy Bench. Other kids understand that if someone is on the bench, they are looking for friends to play with so they go ask them to join in. Buddy benches have been shown to decrease social anxiety and increase positive interactions among elementary age children.

Now following the Village Boar’s support through Resolution 2026-020, Somers Public Works employee installed a bench in one of his favorite parks: Somers Memorial Park. The bench is located between the playground and the soccer field. It will be removed in the winter and placed back

The bench is there to comfort anyone in memory of Bailey, who was killed shy of his sixth birthday by a drink driver on the way home from an afternoon at that park.

A press release is availbel at the following link: www.somerswi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Press-Release-Professional-Doc-in-Pink-Purple-Gradient-Style.pdf .