> We can sit and play the blame game but in the end, these are our children and they need to be properly hydrated while learning
--Home Depot Management
A recent elevation of lead found in about 30 Newark Public Schools' drinking water prompted Newark resident and Home Depot associate Mr. Hassan Foster to think of ways that he could assist in alleviating the problem and bring kids drinking water.
Foster reportedly met up with several other Newark residents/co-workers from the same Home Depot that is located in the 400 block of Springfield Avenue in the city's Central Ward.
With a large amount of Newark residents employed by the hardware supplier that is located in the heart of one of the city's most redeveloped business districts, Foster and other employees thought about their own children that are enrolled in the public school system.
"Yes majority of us (associates) reside in Newark and our own children attend The Newark Public Schools. So, this is affecting us knowing that we are here at work trying to pay bills, but our children might be thirsty" one of the associates said.
Foster and the other associates brought their idea of delivering pallets of bottled water to the attention of the company's upper management who immediately approved them to deliver the water to several schools.
Since Friday, Home Depot store management, Foster, and other associates have delivered nearly 19 pallets of bottled water to Cleveland Street School, American History High School, and Quitman Street School store officials said.
In an email sent to Home Depot corporate offices, a spokesperson said "We are proud of our team for demonstrating leadership and a sense of community pride. Our company is dedicated to assisting NJ communities that are experiencing temporary hardship".
"The Central Ward Home Depot is a community within itself as a large portion of our employees live in the City of Newark" the spokesperson continued.
Home Depot is currently accepting applications for employment and are excited to introduce new Newark associates to its Central Ward store, management said.