Harlem Globetrotter finds a buddy in Springdale

Posted 1/16/19

Sarah-Katherine Cantrell loves to sit on her Buddy Bench on the playground at Springdale Elementary. 

It’s where she makes new friends.

Tuesday morning, she made a new and unexpected …

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Harlem Globetrotter finds a buddy in Springdale

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Sarah-Katherine Cantrell loves to sit on her Buddy Bench on the playground at Springdale Elementary. 
It’s where she makes new friends.
Tuesday morning, she made a new and unexpected friend - Orlando “El Gato” Melendez, a 6’8” forward on the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. 
“He’s probably the tallest friend I have,” Cantrell said, “and probably the tallest person I’ve ever seen.” 
Melendez, who played with the Harlem Globetrotters last Friday at Colonial Life Arena, wanted to meet Cantrell and hear about her Buddy Bench project.
The project places benches on playgrounds of all Lexington 2 elementary schools.
Students can sit on the benches to signal others that they’re looking for someone to talk to or play with. 
Melendez surprised the 5th-grader with his visit, approaching her as she was sitting on the bench. 
“Can I be your buddy?” Melendez asked Cantrell.
The visit was part of the Globetrotters’ outreach to young people, which includes visits to schools to talk about the need for everyone to work together, to be kind to each other and to make a positive difference.
Cantrell learned a few of the tricks Melendez shared with fans during last Friday’s show.

Harlem Globetrotter, Springdale

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