Nearly 50 Illinois Schools to Receive Water Bottle-Filling Stations Through H2O on the Go Program
Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation and Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation mark six years advancing healthy habits among Illinois students
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (September 8, 2026) – Nearly 50 Illinois elementary, middle and high schools will receive new water bottle-filling stations through H2O on the Go, an annual grant program led by Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation and Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. Since launching in 2020, the program has made clean drinking water accessible to more than 187,000 students by installing water bottle-filling stations at 439 Illinois schools. Grant recipients will also receive reusable water bottles and toothbrushes for students.
“H2O on the Go promotes healthy habits by making water a convenient alternative to sugary beverages,” said Lora Vitek, executive director of Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation. “We’re helping students make water part of their daily routines while strengthening their teeth and protecting against cavities.”
Access to drinking water at school supports hydration, oral health, and may benefit cognitive function among children, according to the CDC1. Leading health organizations also recognize the pivotal role beverage choices play in children’s overall health. In 2025, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and other health organizations recommended water as a primary beverage for children and teens while advising against sugar-sweetened beverages, which can increase the risk of dental cavities2.
“The value and benefits of this program extends well beyond a single school year,” said Heather Higgins Alderman, President & CEO of the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. “This year, H2O on the Go will reach more than 19,400 students, providing schools with resources that will serve generations of students and support healthier learning environments.”
The new water bottle-filling stations are touch-free and certified to filter out lead and other contaminants. The stations also reduce single-use plastic waste, contributing to schools’ broader sustainability efforts.
See a full list of Illinois schools selected for this year’s H2O on the Go program here: www.deltadentalil.com/h2o-on-the-go-recipients.
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About Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation
The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation was formed in March 2008 by Delta Dental of Illinois, a not-for-profit dental service corporation with a mission to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois and works to support and improve the oral health of people in Illinois. In the past decade, combined efforts of Delta Dental of Illinois and Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation have provided more than $32 million to programs and organizations in Illinois that improve the oral health of 1.2 million Illinois residents. For additional information, visit deltadentalil.com/ddilfoundation.
About Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation
Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) has a single vision: Every child in Illinois grows up healthy. Working through grantee partners across the state, the Foundation focuses its grant making on identifying and funding solutions to the barriers that prevent children from accessing the ongoing health care they need. For more information, go to ilchf.org.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024), “Water Access in Schools”
2 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2025), Top Health Experts Release New Drink Recommendations for Kids and Teens’ Overall Health