“Drink Up” and the Green Team

(Melrose, MA) February 20, 2014…Did you know that if you drink just one more glass of water a day, you can make a real difference for your health, your energy, and the way you feel?  Did you also know that Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Green Team has been working tirelessly to buy a water-bottle filling station?  Community members can be involved with both initiatives.

The students will buy Elkay's EZH2O bottle filling station that provides chilled, filtered water and minimizes plastic bottle waste in the environment. Compared to a regular drinking fountain, the bottle filling station uses less energy, has a faster fill rate and it is more sanitary due to the touchless electronic sensor. Once installed, it will be much easier for middle school students to drink more water every day.

Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield is expanding these efforts into the community by asking all Melrosians to drink just one more glass of water a day.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov), approximately one fourth of children do not drink any water on a given day. This new effort will remind people that drinking more water helps you have more energy to do more, longer and with better focus.

Countless organizations like Let’s Move! (http://www.letsmove.gov/), Partnership for a Healthier America (http://ahealthieramerica.org/), as well as international and national businesses are promoting and participating in the “Drink Up” campaign.  Visit www.youarewhatyoudrink.org for more on this movement.

If you would like to learn more about MVMMS Green Team and how you can donate to the cause, contact Jessie Schmitt, Melrose Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator, jschmitt@cityofmelrose.org.

For more information on Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield, contact Kara Showers at 781-979-4123 or kshowers@cityofmelrose.org.

About Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield, a Program of the City of Melrose and Town of Wakefield Health Department

Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield works locally to increase opportunities for Melrose and Wakefield residents to eat better and move more in the places they live, learn, work, and play. Melrose and Wakefield are among 52 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth that are part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion Municipal Wellness and Leadership Program.  Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield is working to support the implementation of Safe Routes to School, Healthy Market Program, Access to Farmers Markets, Healthy Dining Program, and improving school nutrition initiatives that will make the healthy choice the easy choice for residents.  www.MiMmelrosewakefield.com