Oxford High School’s robotics team, TORC 2137, and the Oxford Athletic Boosters have teamed up to tackle the water crisis in Flint, but they need your help to do it.
‘Everyone knows Flint is having water problems ? that there is too much lead (in the water) and it’s not clean enough,? said OHS and senior TORC member Reece Bruni. ‘So, what we decided to do was gather a bunch of bottled water and give it to them until their problem is fixed.?
‘We really want to garner the support of the whole community and get Oxford to help another community,? added senior Kristen Ewald. ‘It’s really important to us that happen, so we’re talking to local businesses to either match or sponsor us with water.?
‘We’re also hoping this will go through the district, so that all kids in Oxford Schools can help,? Ewald noted.
Donations and drop-off points
The team will be delivering the water to Kettering University on Feb. 7 at 2 p.m., so the deadline for donations is Feb. 6. Water drop-off points include: Oxford Fire Station #1 (96 N. Washington Street); Oxford High School front office (745 N. Oxford Rd.); Legacy Center (925 N. Lapeer Rd.) ; Kingsbury Country Day School (5000 Hosner Rd.); The Den (925 N. Lapeer Rd.); and the Oxford Public Library (530 Pontiac Rd.).
As of Jan. 22, more than 650 cases of water had been donated.
Donors can send an e-mail’Oxwildcatboosterevents@gmail.com’to arrange for monetary donations or mail’their donation to Oxford High School, c/o Robotics, 745 N. Oxford Rd, Oxford, MI ?48371. Checks should be made payable to Oxford Athletic Boosters.
Instead of charging money as an entrance fee at the boys varsity basketball game against Lake Orion on Friday, the Oxford Athletic Boosters is asking each spectator to bring a donation of bottled water.
Several organizations have already joined TORC 2137 and the Boosters in their quest to collect water for Flint. M.P.D. Welding Inc. is donating 500 cases of water. The Legacy Center is providing indoor storage space for water donations. Personal Touch Moving is providing a semi-trailer to transport it all to Flint. North Oakland Dental Group is also donating two pick-up truck loads of water.
‘We are always proud to support the community, especially Oxford Schools. When TORC approached us and asked for water donations, we were happy to get involved,? said dentist Dr. Paul Ferri
The doctors of the North Oakland Dental Group expressed concern regarding the impact contaminated water can have on individuals as well as what a lack of water can do.
‘The people of Flint need clean drinking water and lots of it,? said Dr. Michael Kubinski. ‘Sodas and juices used to replace water can contribute to erosion and tooth decay.?
‘Clean, safe drinking water is necessary for rinsing the mouth following dental brushing,? Dr. Eric Hanby added, ‘Using tainted water increases the risk of absorbing toxic substances through the gums, tongue, and mucosa. Also, small amounts of tainted water could be inadvertently swallowed causing toxins to potentially enter the digestive system.?
The doctors and staff would like to see other area dental offices help this worthy cause. ‘If all dentists in the Oxford area can donate at least a few cases of water, our neighbors in Flint would greatly benefit,? said Dr. Sarah Tomaka.
Why Flint?
Flint is in a state of emergency after high amounts of lead were found in the municipalty’s water. Residents are in desperate need of fresh water for drinking, cooking and bathing.
‘We wanted to help out . . . even if it was just offering a little bit of support through water,? explained OHS freshman and TORC member Caitlyn Hopman.
‘We can’t imagine living with out water,? Ewald said. ‘We use it here to build our robot. We use it in our shop and we all use it at home to cook and clean (with).?
‘Everybody needs (clean) water,? Bruni added. ‘It’s like a no-brainer.?
Ewald said they want their water to help Flint students.
‘One of the schools in Flint is actually the Wildcats just like Oxford is,? she said. ‘We’re really going to try and help them because they don’t have water in their cafeteria, their drinking fountains are turned off, the sinks in the bathroom are turned off, so we’re going to try get it there because kids need to be hydrated for school.?
For more information, visit the ‘Torc to Flint Water Drive? Facebook page.