Hydrate Caribbean is one step closer to achieving its milestone of 3 million bottle fills since its water station initiative was launched in 2020.
On Tuesday, the Luther Thorne Memorial School became the 17th school on the island to receive a hydration station.
Speaking at the presentation, Public Relations and Marketing Executive at Hydrate Caribbean, Jay Belmar said: “We’re getting more of these stations in schools and in public spaces where people can have access to free water…. You don’t need to buy a single plastic bottle and contribute to the pollution in our landfill.”
Senior teacher at the school, Alison Cumberbatch thanked sponsor Rotoplastics and Hydrate Caribbean for their contribution, saying the hydration station has come “at an opportune time”.
“I can assure you that we’re gonna use this wisely,” she added.
Head boy Daiire Leacock and head girl Amaya Batson also expressed appreciation for the donation.
“It is indeed a timely and much-appreciated gift as we seek to stay hydrated on these increasingly hot days,” they said in unison as they delivered a vote of thanks.
Operations and Sales Manager at Rotoplastics, Leon Layne said the project was an opportunity for the company to demonstrate good corporate citizenship.
“We want to make sure that our future is well protected and we know that . . . 70 per cent of the body is water. We know that hydration is critical. We know that we live in the tropics and the heat is a bit much so we can keep our children healthy and this was an excellent project for us,” he said.
Layne also disclosed that another Rotoplastics-sponsored hydration station was in the works.
“We want to make sure that we reach out to the general public as well. So we will be looking at doing that pretty soon, making another contribution, but for the entire public – schools, children, adults, the public at large – and we will be doing that shortly. We have our location earmarked,” he said.
Belmar said the support of corporate Barbados in sponsoring the hydration stations at schools has been encouraging.
“We’re so thankful to our sponsors today, Rotoplastics, but overall, all the sponsors who have come on board and said yes to giving back free, purified, chilled water to our schools, especially to the public,” she said.
However, the Hydrate Caribbean PR and marketing executive appealed for more sponsors, as she highlighted the overall importance of water to children: “Help us get our kids hydrated, stay away from the soft drinks and the sugary drinks and, you know, live healthier lives.”
Hydrate Caribbean has installed 29 stations across the island with plans to install the 30th soon.
Belmar also revealed that an upcoming campaign in November will soon be launched to include a competition for the general public and schools.
(LG)
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