Mt. Carmel Jr. & Sr. High received two of the H2O On the Go grants from the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation and the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. This grant provides new water bottle-filling stations to encourage students to drink more water.
This year, 62% of Illinois parents reported that their child currently has or has experienced a dental issue, the most common being cavities. Water consumption can help reduce the number of cavities, as well as increase energy levels and improve students’ attention span and ability to learn.
Mt. Carmel Jr. & Sr. High is one of 67 Illinois elementary, middle and high schools statewide selected for the 2022 program that will have existing water fountains replaced with new water bottle-filling stations. The students at Mt. Carmel Jr. & Sr. High will also receive toothbrushes and reusable water bottles as part of the program.
“We are so excited to have been selected as one of the Illinois schools for the 2022 H2O On the Go program,” said Steve Holt, Chief Operations Officer at Mt. Carmel Jr. & Sr. High. “Having access to water throughout the day will be so beneficial for both our students and our educators. It will help students improve their oral health.”
H2O On the Go provides greater access to drinking water for Illinois students and encourages them to choose water instead of sugary beverages like soda, juice and sports drinks. This will help Illinois parents, too, as they can trust their child will be well hydrated throughout the day when sent with a reusable water bottle.
“Through the H20 On the Go program, we make it easier for Illinois students to drink water in an effort to improve their oral and overall health through the H2O On the Go program,” said Lora Vitek, executive director of Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation. “The new filling stations will not only help students stay hydrated, but they’ll lessen their chance of tooth decay.”
See a full list of Illinois schools selected for the H20 On the Go program here: www.deltadentalil.com/h2o-on-the-go-recipients.
