Holmes Training Center receives a fountain of blessings
Nathan Kline has become the poster child for the new water fountains at the Holmes County Training Center. Thanks to the donation of two new fountains and water bottled for everyone at the training center, courtesy of Delta Dental Foundation, people there are more apt to drink water.
Health experts everywhere are promoting the benefits of drinking more clean water to create a healthier lifestyle.
The staff and students at the Holmes County Training Center were fortunate to receive a huge gift recently, and they are taking the concept of drinking water to a whole new level.
Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities School is among 54 schools in Ohio that received two new water fountains/bottle-filling stations, thanks to the Delta Dental Foundation.
Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities School was among the winners of the DDF’s $200,000 Rethink Your Drink: Water’s Cool at School program, designed to encourage children to drink more water during the school day.
“The Delta Dental Foundation is pleased to fund this program,” said Teri Battaglieri, Delta Dental Foundation director. “Water is critical to maintaining good oral health, and when children choose water over sugar-sweetened beverages, they can reduce incidents of tooth decay, the most common chronic childhood illness in the U.S.”
As part of their prize package, Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities School also received reusable water bottles for students and staff.
Through the Water’s Cool at School program, selected schools throughout the Midwest will have older drinking fountains replaced with new Elkay water fountain/bottle-filling stations, installed by Oak Park-based Balfrey & Johnston. In addition selected schools will receive reusable water bottles for students and staff, and the HCTC was fortunate enough to be one of those selected participants.
According to statistics released by Delta Dental, more than 50 percent of children and teens in the U.S. are not properly hydrated during the school day, which can, among other things, impact cognitive function and energy levels. According to Battaglieri, youth are more apt to choose to quench their thirst with sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda pop or juice and sports drinks, and this can have adverse effects on their teeth and their bodies.
“We are very excited to receive the water bottle filling stations,” said Marianne Mader, Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities superintendent. “We were encouraged to apply for this grant by Todd Jasin, executive director of the United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties. Todd had recently shared information with us about the staggering rate of Holmes County school-aged children with tooth decay. As the only County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio with a dental clinic, we fully support preventive measures to ward off tooth decay. The filling stations, water bottles and accompanying educational materials will help students, staff and families Rethink their Drink.”
The new drinking fountain has already paid big dividends. Student Nathan Kline has become the resident bottle-filler, and Kline has made a habit of drinking more water now that his water bottle is easier to fill.
“Nathan has taken drinking water to a whole new level, which is wonderful,” said Rhoda Mast, HCTC principal. “The new fountains have made it much easier for our students to get water, which can only lead to healthier living.”
The Delta Dental Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization established in 1980, which serves as the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina. The foundation’s goals are to support education and research for the advancement of dental science and to promote the oral health of the public through education and service activities, particularly for those with special needs.
For more information visit www.deltadentalmi.com.