'You are not alone': Buddy Benches aim to stop suicide

MONROE — A local motorcycle group is bringing Buddy Benches to Monroe County schools.

Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness & Suicide Prevention Foundation has purchased 11 benches so far and plans to order more. The benches offer a place for students who are feeling lonely and isolated to sit. Peers are encouraged to interact with someone sitting on the bench. Each bench is engraved with the suicide and crisis lifeline number (988) and the message "You Are NOT Alone."

Hot Rods' latest three Buddy Benches were given to Monroe Public Schools. Members of the club presented a bench at the Dec. 9 school board meeting. The district's two other benches are coming soon.

“The benches are a visible reminder to students who are struggling that they have a community that supports them,” Andrew Shaw, MPS superintendent, said.

Shaw said the new benches will be placed indoors at Monroe High School, Orchard Center High School and Monroe Middle School.

Ron "Hot Rod" Beaton, president of the Hot Rods, spoke at the board meeting.

"We are delighted to be part of your suicide prevention and mental health efforts to save lives and protect your students in any way possible. As a group, we know any and every way you can help a student with resources, such as flyers, posters or benches, it gives them a message that someone really does care and they are not alone," Ron Beaton said.

Buddy Benches are made of reusable plastic and are produced by OCC Outdoors in Indianapolis, Ind.

“We raise money for the Buddy Benches through several avenues: our annual Car & Bike Show, donations and group fundraisers,” Denise Beaton, club treasurer, said. “A bench cost approximately $900.”

Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness & Suicide Prevention Foundation also has given two benches to Milan Area Schools, two to Dundee Community Schools and two to Monroe County Community College.

“An additional two benches have been ordered and will be placed at another school once delivered. The location will be determined. We hope to continue our outreach to other schools in the near future,” Denise Beaton said.

Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness & Suicide Prevention Foundation began in February 2021 with two missions: motorcycle awareness and suicide prevention. It currently has 110 members. Yearly dues are $10.

“The foundation’s missions are saving lives and improving the quality of life,” Denise Beaton said. "We are not professionals (in mental health), but we listen."

Hot Rods supports area organizations that reach populations that are at high risk for suicide, including Aid in Milan, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Legion, Bikers Against Trafficking, Catherine Cobb Safe House, Compassion Ministry of Milan, Ele's Place, Gabby's Ladder, Hope Clinic, Ike and Ella Fund, Veteran's Dire Need Fund of Lenawee County and Six Feet Over.

“Our community outreach efforts include having materials at our booth during public events, like Milan Fair, Dundee Mayfly Festival, our Car and Bike Show," Denise Beaton said. "The informational materials we distribute include our foundation's tri-fold brochure with suicide prevention resources, the 988 crisis lifeline, 'You Are NOT Alone' or 'Be the One' materials, informational brochures regarding services for (our partner) agencies and local resources for Lenawee, Monroe and Washtenaw counties."

The Beatons said the efforts are working.

"We know this message and the (suicide lifeline) number works because of stories shared with us. Individuals who were contemplating suicide reached out and got the help they needed," Ron Beaton said.

“The feedback we receive is very positive, from both the agencies we support as well as the community when we interact with them during public events,” Denise Beaton said.

Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness & Suicide Prevention Foundation's motorcycle awareness campaign includes roadside signs, information on hand signals and tire pressure and a tri-fold brochure on motorcycle safety that has a quiz.

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“We complete the quiz with individuals during our interactions and the feedback is amazing. Those who think they know about motorcycle safety are usually the ones who know the least,” Denise Beaton said.

Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness & Suicide Prevention Foundation also supports Lenawee County Children's Protective Services and VA Ann Arbor Fisher House.

"We could not do this without the support of our community sponsors and donors as well as our strong membership base," Denise Beaton said.

For more information about the Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness and Suicide Prevention Foundation, call 419-349-8075 or email hotrods.motorcycle.awareness@gmail.com.

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: 'You are not alone': Buddy Benches aim to stop suicide