By Crystal Hayduk
A bench is a nice place to rest when tired, to eat a snack or appreciate the beauty of nature, to read a book, or to chat with a friend.
Two new benches at the Alumni Arbor at Chelsea High School (CHS) this fall may serve the additional purpose of saving lives.
The benches, with the engraved messages, “You are NOT alone” and “Call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline” were presented at the Oct. 28 Chelsea School District Board of Education meeting. They were donated to the district by the Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness & Suicide Prevention Foundation.
The foundation’s president, Rod Beaton, spoke to the board from his heart. “… We know that any and every way you can help a student with resources … can make a difference. … It sends a message that someone really does care and they are not alone.”
Beaton said the group has donated 18 benches to nine schools. They have received feedback that people who were contemplating suicide reached out and received the help they needed at that crucial time.
“Our benches provide hope, support, and a valuable resource to contact—not only for students but also to family members and visitors to the school district,” Beaton said. “If this message reaches one person and saves one life in this vulnerable population, we have achieved our mission.”
Following the solemn presentation, members of the foundation and the school board shared hugs and tears.
Chelsea resident Dennis Schumann, finance officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 459, was the liaison between the foundation and the school district.
Schumann said Beaton presented the foundation’s work at a meeting of the Washtenaw County Council of Veterans. “With the high rate of suicides of Chelsea students dating back to when my twins were in high school (early 1990s), I needed to pursue this chance to help the students and the Chelsea School District.”
With the help of Commander Gregg Weaver, Chapter 459 made a financial contribution to help fund the CHS benches. “We are hoping that the benches will help the students with their most difficult decisions,” said Schumann.
Kits to assemble the benches cost $900 each. They were delivered to the district and assembled by Daniel Munker, a senior in the South & West Washtenaw Consortium program, with help from Jake Burris, a 2015 CHS graduate who is the district’s HVAC specialist.
Superintendent Mike Kapolka said the district is grateful to Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness & Suicide Prevention Foundation for their generous donation of the two suicide prevention benches. “These benches represent a powerful addition to our commitment to the health, safety, and mental well-being of every student,” he said. “Through this donation, we aim to raise awareness and offer accessible support for those who may be struggling.
“This contribution aligns closely with our district’s ongoing focus on mental health interventions and proactive support systems, demonstrating a shared dedication with our community to prioritize students’ emotional and social well-being. Community partnerships like this are essential to strengthening our efforts, and we are truly fortunate for the compassion and support Rod’s Foundation brings to this critical work.”
About Hot Rods Motorcycle Awareness & Suicide Prevention Foundation:
The foundation exists to save lives and improve the quality of life. The 501c3 with 130 members was founded in 2021. To learn more, visit the group’s Facebook page. Anyone interested in donating to their cause can contact Beaton or his wife, Denise, at (419) 349-8075.
