RICHMOND, Ky. — It might have looked like an ordinary bench that student football players unloaded off a trailer Wednesday morning in front of a Richmond, Kentucky, high school — but looks can be deceiving.

For the large group of third graders present at the Madison Central High School bench delivery, it looked like the successful result of nearly seven months of hard work and more than 3,100 pounds of plastic.

The third graders of Glenn Marshall Elementary School spent months raising money and collecting plastic lids as part of their “Leader in Me” service project focused on recycling.

The students saved plastic lids and caps from water bottles, deodorant sticks, milk jugs and even peanut butter jars, which found their way into the nine park benches delivered to various spots in Richmond Wednesday.

“We had mounds and mounds of plastic lids,” third-grade teacher Melissa Sandusky said of the collection. “After we collected all we could, the kids then had to sort through all of it and weed out the ones we couldn’t use for the benches.”

The third graders’ initial goal was to recycle enough plastic for 10 benches. But thanks to a boost of 1,700 pounds of plastic from Valvoline in Lexington and a 400-pound plastic donation from Simmons Elementary School in Versailles, the third graders were able to have enough plastic for three additional benches.

The benches were created by a company in Evansville, Indiana, and each bench required 400 pounds of plastic and $225 to make.

Sandusky said the third graders received invaluable support from their families, local community members and the Officer Daniel Ellis Foundation.

“We managed to raise $2,300 in monetary donations for the benches,” Sandusky explained. “We are so grateful and proud of the community support for this project.”

Each of the benches delivered to various locations throughout Richmond Wednesday are adorned with a plaque honoring Officer Daniel Ellis, who died in November 2015 from a gunshot wound sustained while investigating a robbery.

The plaque reads: “This bench is dedicated to the memory of Officer Daniel Ellis #457, Sponsored by the 2016-2017 3rd grade class of GME.”

The plaque also has a quote often attributed to Abraham Lincoln which reads, “And in the end, its [sic] not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

While the students may see the remnants of thousands of plastic lids, Sandusky sees a valuable teaching tool in the bench.

Sandusky, whose husband is a Kentucky State Trooper, said the death of Officer Ellis left a huge impact on the community.

“The students still remember what happened to him and wanted to do something to honor his memory,” Sandusky said. “This project was perfect because it not only taught the students about the impact of recycling but also gave them a chance to honor the memory of someone very special to our community.”

Katie Ellis, along with her son Luke, greeted the Glenn Marshall third graders during the delivery of the bench that bears her late husband’s name at Madison Central, where she is a vice principal.

For Ellis, the bench looks like so much more than another memorial to her husband’s sacrifice. It will be an enduring symbol of a brighter future.

Barker writes for the Richmond, Kentucky Register.