Through two long school years of collaborating, fundraising and promoting, the Manhattan High School Anime Club and Gay Straight Alliance have achieved their goal of installing a water bottle station.

Cooperative efforts between the two clubs have finally resulted in raising the funds required to obtain a filtered water bottle filling station. Its location is by the cafeteria doors. Members of both clubs now find themselves feeling proud of their accomplishments.

“Seeing something that we’ve been working on for two years come to life under your leadership is really satisfying,” GSA president Cody Bell, senior, said.

Both clubs found that installing this station would be very beneficial to students. Filling water bottles at water fountains can be time-consuming, especially when other students are behind them waiting to use it just for a quick drink. This new installation can save time and make filling a water bottle much easier. Along with that, the station comes with a feature that counts how many plastic water bottles have been saved from being wasted with each use.

The fundraisers that took place were primarily coffee, tea and cookie sales. The clubs agreed on this concept due to the fact that the items could appeal to everyone, from teachers to students and parents. Along with that, Giving Bean is an eco-friendly brand with how it is produced and distributed.

“It’s coffee that’s actually good for you and it’s good for the environment,” Bell said. “It’s good-tasting, it’s good for you, and it’s good for the earth with how it’s produced.”

Prices for water bottle stations such as the one that was recently installed can range from $500 to nearly $2,000. This price range is the reason for why it took the clubs two whole years to raise the funds required. Nonetheless, they persisted.

The sales and aiming to offer the school something it needed motivated members of both clubs. It pushed students to get involved with other students, to cooperate with others and learn a bit of the basics when it comes to salesmanship.

“This year I managed to ask my teachers and a lot more students and people,” senior Allison Clauss said. “We also got a really big donation from some parents, so that was really helpful.”

While club members stand proud of their victory, plans still stand for both clubs toward the end of the year. GSA is still in the process of planning their biggest event, which is taking part in the Little Apple Pride Parade. This year it will take place April 22. GSA representatives and members will be hosting their own table during the parade. What they will be handing out exactly has yet to be determined.

In regards to Anime Club, members aim to finish up the year comfortably. However, many of the representatives are seniors and find themselves crestfallen by the thought of having to leave.

“Sadly, I would love to be a part of [future plans] with Anime Club,” Clauss said. “I would love to still be part of the committee. I just hope that juniors, sophomores and freshman really step up their goals.”