Businesses Participating in Clean Water Tap Project

For months, Hillside Elementary students have been learning about the importance of clean water and how to protect it. This week, residents who patronize Needham businesses have their own chance to pitch in for the environment.

As part of World Water Week, over 20 businesses in and around Needham have joined forces with Hillside to benefit the UNICEF Tap Project. Hillside students recently created colorful canisters that were placed in each business and patrons can help the cause by dropping a dollar in the container.

The Tap Project has become a rousing success, with thousands of restaurants participating in 2009. The original concept, however, was a little different than the Needham model.

"The Tap Project called for people in restaurants to donate an extra dollar on top of their bill. But there are not a lot of sit-down restaurants in Needham," explained Hillside teacher George Goneconto.

Instead, the kids drew pictures of their "water buddies," affixed them to a canister and thought about businesses in town that might be interested in aiding UNICEF. Donations can be given between now and Saturday. For every dollar raised, a child will receive enough clean drinking water to last 40 days.

The idea to promote clean water was originally born from Hillside's "Buddy System," in which younger students work with older ones on a worthwhile project. When brainstorming a new project, Goneconto and fellow Hillside teacher Amy Cicala found their inspiration in the work being done by UNICEF.

"We were looking for something that would be a year long curriculum," related Goneconto. "We then wanted to infuse it with social responsibility and help build character skills, which is why we thought of the Tap Project."

Once the idea was hatched, Goneconto's second grade class got together with Cicala's fourth grade class and the project took shape. Goneconto's wife, Si Si, helped write the curriculum and the kids took an interactive approach to learning, touring Needham's water treatment facility, role playing to envision life with limited water access and taking a water taste test, among other activities.

The students and their teachers went on to present their case for clean water protection to the Needham Rotary Club, the School Committee and others. Last week, they turned their attention to the Town Common before heading into several local businesses that are housing drop-off canisters. 

Si Si Goneconto related that the experience of Hillside students passionately asking for help and singing their "Water Song" throughout the town was heartwarming for everyone involved.

"It's really about seed planting and we want to present a serious subject, but we want to do it in an optimistic way," she said. "The most touching part, though, was seeing the older kids, who had already done this program, helping out the younger kids and seeing that the message stays with them."

Businesses participating in UNICEF's Tap Project include Abbott's Frozen Custard, Acorn Bakery, Bagel's Best, Bellini Baby and Teen Furniture, Café Fresh Bagel, Cowlicks, Dunn Gaherin in Newton Upper Falls, Fresco, Fuji Steak House, Kids U, Kostas Pizza, La Morra in Brookline, Needham House of Pizza, Needham Street Cleaners, Nicholas Pizza, Pacini's, Petit Robert Bistro, Rice Barn, Stone Hearth Pizza, Sweet Corner, Town Pizza and West Newton Cinemas.