Uncategorized

Alameda sixth-grader receives $500 grant to put new water station at Ontario school

Alameda Elementary sixth-grader Clare Dwyer received a $500 grant from the Peace, Love & Planet nonprofit to use toward a new water bottle filling station for her school. (Submitted photo)

ONTARIO – Alameda Elementary sixth-grader Clare Dwyer recently won a $500 grant for a new water bottle filling station for the school.

Dwyer applied for the grant through the Go Green Grant program of Peace, Love & Planet, an environmental non-profit in Michigan. 

The Go Green program supports student-led, environmental initiatives. Students have to propose projects focused on “reduce, reuse, recycle and respect” for the environment” and demonstrate measurable results, according to the Peace, Love & Planet website.

Dwyer said the idea for her project came up because she felt as if the water was unsatisfying. 

“I was talking with my mom one day, and I told her that the wasn’t that good,” said Dwyer. “So we did some research and found out that there was this grant called Peace, Love and Planet. And it turns out its only for students.”

Dwyer decided to give it a shot and applied for a $400 grant.

“I mean, the worst thing that could happen is that I don’t get it,” said Dwyer.

Little did she know she’d get $500 – more than she had asked for.

“Clare is a very solution-oriented student,” said Alameda Elementary Principal Andrea Buchholz.

Dwyer pointed out that her grant, however, doesn’t cover the entire cost of the water bottle station project. She and her mother said the cost of a new station is about $1,000.

To cover the rest, Dwyer suggested that she could fundraise through the school’s student store.

However, the Alameda PTO agreed to cover the remaining costs.

Reporter Kristine de Leon: 541-473-3377.