NORTH CAROLINA-- A Pennsylvania student’s idea to foster friendship is showing up on school playgrounds across the county, including a few in the Tar Heel State.

While recess can be filled with kids and laughter, it can leave some kids feeling empty.

"While it can be a time of fun, it can also be a time when kids are lonely,” said Janet Kraft, Myers Park Traditional Elementary Counselor.

"It's kind of like the first day jitters, and you don't have the courage to go up to someone and say, ‘can I play with you?’,” said Renie Currier, a fifth grader at Myers Park Traditional Elementary.

To put the focus on friendship, some students at Myers Park Traditional Elementary in Charlotte campaiged for a “Buddy Bench,” to help include those who feel left out.

"That's what the Buddy Bench is for, sitting down on it and seeing if there is anywhere you want to join or someone can come over and ask you to play,” said Currier.

The students got the idea from a student in Pennsylvania, which is popping up on playgrounds across North Carolina, including one installed at E.K. Powe Elementary in Durham. 

"I thought it was a perfect idea because I had seen many kids wandering around the playground with no one to play with,” said Currier.

The caring classmates wrote a letter to their principal, who approved the bright blue bench. 

"It's really just trying to build a family, trying to build a positive culture here at school, so I thought it was great idea, almost from the moment I read their letter,” said Lane Price, Myers Park Traditional Elementary Principal.

Through several months of fundraising, the school’s Beta Club raised enough money for the bench, which volunteers put together, painted and placed. 

"I'm definitely inspired by the children and especially when we can help them to look at ways to be deeper people,” said parent volunteer Court Stephens.

The students hope the piece of playground will contribute to classmate camaraderie and spread to other schools. 

"People can get to know each other and they can have a friendship that can last for a long time and they can meet new people along with that friend and their other friends and it can just be kind of like a chain,” said Reese Harkleroad, a fifth grader at Myers Park Traditional Elementary.

To learn more about how the “Buddy Bench” movement started, click here.