Eye candy of the week

Among the personal guides he followed during his too short life, Charlie Waller believed that “If a kid is ignored, make him your friend.”

This Buddy Bench was built and dedicated in Charlie’s memory, following his passing at the age of 5 in December 2013. East Lansing’s Marble Elementary School families and staff raised money to build the bench, which is used to continue Charlie’s legacy in teaching kindness.

The bench was unveiled this spring.

Charlie’s Buddy Bench is a designated area where students can seek out playmates. Nearby children are encouraged to reach out to those seated alone on the bench and invite them to join in their games. In particular, selected fifthgrade students known as “Chesters” (a combination of the names of Charlie and his older sister, Esther) are responsible for monitoring the bench and are instructed to introduce the children to possible playmates.

The Art for Charlie Foundation continues their mission to support children in need of pediatric hospice and families bereaved by the death of a child.

The foundation’s annual Art Show and Auction takes place this year Nov. 13, coinciding with World Kindness Day. Event details and Kindness Day activities may be found at artforcharlie.com.

— Daniel E. Bollman, AIA

“Eye candy of the Week” is our weekly look at some of the nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates each with Eyesore of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lansingcitypulse.com or call Andy Balaskovitz at 999-5064.