Imbler Elementary Student Council Raises $3,000 for Bottle-Filling Fountain

Imbler Elementary’s K–6 Student Council has turned a year of bake sales and dress‑up days into a new drinking fountain with a bottle‑filling station now in use in the school’s main hallway. The council decided to use $3,000 from its account to purchase and install the fixture, a direct example of student-led investment in school infrastructure.

Teressa Dewey, writing for the school, noted, “Throughout the school year, the Elementary Student Council fundraises by sponsoring dress up days and bake sales.” Dewey added, “This year the council decided to use $3,000 from their account to purchase a new drinking fountain with a water bottle fill station.” She celebrated the arrival of the fixture, writing, “They are happy to see it installed and in use in the main hallway! Great work everyone!”

School leaders describe the project as the culmination of several years of student fundraising. According to Imbler Superintendent and Elementary Principal Randy Waite, the K‑6 students “have been working to fundraise for the elementary schools for several years now, primarily through bake sales and a lot of dress up days.” Waite praised the students’ planning and stewardship: “they put some thought in what they wanted to give back to the school.”

The immediate community benefits are practical and public‑health oriented. A central, easy‑to‑use bottle‑filling station makes refillable water bottles more convenient for students, supporting hydration during the school day and reducing the need for single‑use plastic bottles. The installation also serves as a visible example of youth civic engagement: students identified a need, raised the funds, and chose how to spend those funds to improve daily life at school.

One local report also noted that the fountain includes proper refrigeration, a detail not listed in the school announcement. The purchase drew down the Elementary Student Council account to cover the $3,000 cost, and students are already planning additional fundraisers to restock their savings and support future projects.

For Union County residents, the project is a reminder of how small, sustained community efforts can yield tangible improvements in school facilities and student wellbeing. Imbler’s student council shows how hands‑on learning about budgeting and civic responsibility can intersect with public health priorities. As the council plans its next fundraisers, families and neighbors who value local schools and student leadership may find opportunities to support future projects that expand access to healthy, equitable school environments.