Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation Donates Water Bottle Filling Stations to Schools

The Cool Water Program promotes water consumption throughout the school day.

STEVENS POINT, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Students and staff at select Wisconsin schools will have a healthy new addition to their campus for the 2023-2024 school year. The Delta Dental of Wisconsin (DDWI) Foundation’s Cool Water Program recently granted water bottle filling stations to 31 schools across the state. This year marks the fifth year of the program, which has impacted 138 schools and over 53,000 Wisconsin students since inception.

Each Cool Water Program grant covers the installation cost of a new filling station, along with toothbrushes and reusable water bottles for all students and staff. Selection for awardees was based on the schools having fluoridated water, percentage of students with free-and-reduced meal rates, and the sustainability and creativity of an implementation plan to encourage students to drink more water throughout the year.

According to the American Dental Association, drinking water, especially fluoridated water, helps reduce cavities and protects precious tooth enamel by washing away harmful bacteria. Children who drink water during the day are less likely to consume sugary beverages and miss school¹ due to oral health issues. Additionally, reducing sugar intake can decrease the occurrence of painful cavities and help reduce obesity.

“Supporting education is not just about funding schools, it’s about empowering the next generation to make healthy choices,” said Shaun Luehring, president and CEO of LUMIN Schools and 2022 Cool Water Program grant recipient. “The gift of a water bottle filling station makes good choices easy. We would not have been able to secure this on our own and are extremely grateful for the support. Our students love filling up their water bottles, so mission accomplished!”

The selected schools for 2023-2024 include:

1. Alma High School, Alma
2. Anna F. Doerfler School, Milwaukee
3. Benton Elementary School, Benton
4. Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Milwaukee
5. Brown Street Academy, Milwaukee
6. Cambria/Friesland Elementary School, Cambria
7. Coloma Elementary School, Coloma
8. Cornell Elementary, Cornell
9. Forest Lane Community School, Montello
10. Glenwood City High School, Glenwood City
11. Goodman-Armstrong Creek School District, Goodman
12. Grant Elementary, Wisconsin Rapids
13. Lake Holcombe School, Holcombe
14. Lombardi Middle School, Green Bay
15. Madinah Academy of Madison, Madison
16. Mary Queen of Saints Catholic Academy, West Allis
17. Mellen School District, Mellen
18. Northwest Catholic School, Milwaukee
19. Oconto Falls High School, Oconto Falls
20. Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Milwaukee
21. Prince of Peace School, Milwaukee
22. Red Apple Elementary, Racine
23. Rib Lake Elementary, Rib Lake
24. Rib Lake Middle School, Rib Lake
25. Rib Lake High School, Rib Lake
26. Shining Star Christian Schools, Milwaukee
27. St. Rafael the Archangel, Milwaukee
28. St. Roman Parish School, Milwaukee
29. Thorp Catholic School, Thorp
30. Washington Elementary, Stevens Point
31. Winter School District, Winter

“The statewide impact of the Cool Water Program the past five years has been inspiring, but there is more work to be done,” said Megan Tenpas, community impact manager for the DDWI Foundation. “Our goal is to have a school in each county represented by the 2025-2026 school year.”

For more information on the Cool Water Program or the Foundation, visit deltadentalwi.com/foundation.

About Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation

For 60 years, Delta Dental of Wisconsin (DDWI) has been working to maintain healthy communities and healthy teeth. Delta Dental of Wisconsin provides dental benefits and services to more Wisconsin-based companies, subscribers, and their family members than any other insurance carrier. Through its Foundation, Delta Dental is committed to advancing solutions for Wisconsin’s oral health by initiating, collaborating with, and supporting programs that extend access to dental care, ensure a strong dental workforce, and improve the oral health of underserved and vulnerable populations.

Delta Dental of Wisconsin is headquartered in Stevens Point, with a sales office in Milwaukee. As part of the nationwide Delta Dental Plans Association, DDWI joins 38 other Delta Dental plans to serve more than 83 million Americans with dental insurance.

¹https://www.deltadental.com/content/dam/ddpa/us/en/state-of-america%27s-oral-health-and-wellness-report/DDPA_State%20of%20Oral%20Health%20Report_2023-Release_FINAL.pdf

Contacts

Amanda Lowery

alowery@deltadentalwi.com