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SINCE THE EFFORT BEGAN IN LATE MARCH, ABOUT FIVE INTEGRA EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN DEDICATING TIME TO THE PROJECT.

Integra Seating is spearheading an effort to make approximately 12,000 face coverings for its employees and their families, as well as health care workers and communities across the country to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Through the use of its Zund machine, the company is cutting individual pieces of a poly/cotton blend fabric to serve as a face covering. The face coverings are being provided as part of the CDC’s recommendation for wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are hard to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. In accordance with CDC guidelines, all components in the kit are machine washable using standard laundry detergent and machine dryable.

The coverings are part of a kit which is being supplied to local and national partners in the effort. These partners, which include churches and other organizations, are recruiting volunteers to sew the face coverings and ensure they get to those most at need — local hospitals, senior homes and other high-risk facilities. Each kit contains sewing directions, a fully assembled face covering for use as a guide, and enough fabric pieces and straps for 50 face coverings. All kits are being donated and shipped free of charge.

Since the effort began in late March, about five Integra employees have been dedicating time to the project. Several churches in Southern Wisconsin have partnered with Integra to receive the kits, sew and distribute the completed face coverings. These churches include Lakeland Community Church in Williams Bay; Sugar Creek Lutheran in Elkhorn; St. John’s Baptist in Delavan; Williams Bay Lutheran; and Christ Lutheran in Sharon. In addition, 1,000 face-covering kits have been sent to Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona, to assist in their efforts to supply more PPE where it’s needed most.

“Like everyone, we are very concerned about the health of our employees, families, friends and our community as a whole,” said Integra Seating CEO Deena Putnam, who is coordinating the company’s efforts. “We want everyone in our company and in our community to be safe and healthy, and we hope our efforts help. We are grateful for our partners and all the volunteers. We truly are all in this together.”

Integra is offering the kits to any organization or individual throughout the country that would like to contribute and has the volunteers to sew and distribute the face coverings where they are needed. Organizations or individuals interested in partnering with Integra can contact Putnam at [email protected] or call 1-800-235-0234. BoF

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