January 24, 2019
The students and staff at Ash Creek Elementary School are changing up the way they quench their thirst. As part of the Healthy Communities Project funded by the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, Ash Creek Elementary School received and installed a brand new water hydration station. To go along with the hydration station, staff from the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension provided training to students and staff on how to “Re Think Your Drink”, replacing sugary beverages with water.
Hydration stations are more than just another water fountain. Hydration stations are designed to fill reusable water bottles in addition to being a drinking fountain. Each of the students and staff also received a reusable water bottle courtesy of the University of Arizona.
Evelyn Whitmer, U of A Cooperative Extension Area Agent, spoke with the students about the importance of drinking water, how it helps keep teeth healthy, and encouraged 6-8 glasses of water every day. Margaret Hepburn, CEO of the Legacy Foundation, encouraged the students to drink water instead of soda pop or other sugary drinks. One student said her whole family had made the decision to quit drinking sugary beverages.
Other communities in the queue to get hydration stations are:
Pearce Elementary School: 2 hydration stations
Elfrida Elementary School: 2 hydration stations
Boys and Girls Club of Bisbee: 2 hydration stations
City of Douglas: 4 hydration stations
City of Willcox: 3 hydration stations
