Hall

DAILEY — The fourth annual Buddy Bench dedication took place on Aug. 31 at the Homestead Community and Event Center in Dailey.

Introducing the guests throughout the program was Joan Sharp. The invocation was given by Rev. Dr. David Bower, retired pastor of the West Virginia Presbytery.

Chris Gear, a retired Randolph County Schools teacher, read “The Buddy Bench,” a story which encourages all to be kind and accepting to those who may be having a rough day or feeling left out for various reasons.

Guest speakers included Gage Huffman and Dawn Swecker. Huffman, a former Elkins High School Vo-Tech student, spoke about the construction of the benches by students in Chad Caldabaugh and Jonathan Clingerman’s classes.

Though no longer a student, Huffman continues to be a part of the Buddy Bench Project by placing benches and helping with the dedications. He was especially grateful to those involved with this year’s project as his sister was one of those being remembered.

Huffman

Swecker spoke of the rich history of 4-H in the state, in this county, and at Camp Pioneer, where the majority of this year’s benches were placed. Swecker told the crowd that Camp Good Luck is believed to be the world’s first 4-H club encampment and was located in Randolph County.

Music during the presentation was provided by Jason Hall, who sang songs requested by the families of those in whose memory the benches were dedicated.

Pastor Leon Brown of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church of Beverly, conducted the dedication ceremony, after which Tom McLaughlin, longtime member of the West Virginia Highlanders, played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Pastor Brown then gave the benediction to conclude the program.

Organizers thank the individuals and businesses who have supported the Buddy Bench Project over the years, and to those people behind the scenes, who make this day of dedication and memories so special. To date, 42 benches have been placed throughout the county at the following locations:

Camp Pioneer: In memory of Treve Painter, Clinton Bennett, Victor “Bumper” Ramsey, Michael “Mikie” Bennett II, Danielle Raines, Michael “Mac” Collett, Aaron Hamrick, Cassia Collins, Barb Teter and Morgan Davis.

Swecker

TV Little League and softball fields: In memory of Shannon McCollam, Taitlyn Hughes, Tina Swecker, Sam Leary, Patrick Shrader, Miranda Parrack, Amanda Ball Poling, Jessica Simmons, Amanda Channell, Billy Shrader and Timothy Krantz.

HC&EC: In memory of Marshall Markley, Sarah Walls Markley, Jeremy Gilkerson and Adam Arbogast.

Randolph County Secondary Schools: In memory of Jason Starr, Matthew Scott, Kendra Hall Jordan, Courtney Roy, Jamen Dudley, Charles Pinkerton, Kevin Currence II and two dedicated to “angels among us.”

Randolph County Elementary Schools: In memory of Judy McCollam, Steve Hight, Kevin Nestor, Austen Moore, Eddie Hinzman II, and three dedicated to “angels among us.” J.B. Bialek, whose bench was the inspiration for the elementary schools’ bench design, was placed at Jennings Randolph Elementary by his family.

Benches built this school year will be placed at River Bend and Glendale parks in Elkins in 2026. Benches will continue to be provided where our youth gather as long as monies are available.