The Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce will begin distributing 5,000 re-usable cloth masks to businesses, employees, and citizens throughout Clinton County on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
This “Community Mask” initiative is in partnership with the Clinton County Foundation, and the masks will be made available at no cost due to generous contributions from large donors HealthFirst for Clinton County and Alkermes, as well as ATSG Inc., Fiserv, and Wilmington Savings Bank.
A list of locations where masks will be given out can be found on the chamber’s website www.wccchamber.com/communitymasks.
Dessie Rogers, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, said, “We know that the need for PPE is a new stress on our local community, and will be an ongoing challenge for the foreseeable future. The Chamber and the Foundation are proud to partner together to help alleviate some of that stress by providing a much-needed, re-usable PPE item — one that is critical in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community – to our local businesses, employees, and community members.”
The masks will be distributed primarily through participating businesses through Clinton County, where individuals can receive one mask per person in exchange for an optional donation and/or collection of an email address.
Businesses will be asked to use any donations directly for ongoing PPE and COVID-19 safety-related costs, and any emails collected will be added to the Chamber’s “Local First Clinton County” network, which regularly shares local business information such as events and jobs.
Community members can also contact the Chamber of Commerce directly via the website, at 937-728-7075, or at [email protected] to request a mask. Masks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Chamber will be running frequent promotions and incentives around wearing these masks through their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/localfirstcc.
“The Clinton County Foundation board wanted to partner with the Chamber in this face protection and education project. Sometimes, it is the small things done in great ways that make our Clinton County, a wonderful community for our friends, family and neighbors,” said Jan Blohm, Executive Director of the Clinton County Foundation. “We hope this keeps our small businesses open and thriving. Please, buy local.”
In addition to the community masks, this initiative also provided 1,800 re-usable youth masks for all of the in-school elementary school students in Blanchester, Clinton Massie, and East Clinton school districts.
The Chamber worked separately with the City of Wilmington, which generously provided masks to all of the in-school elementary students within the Wilmington City School district.
“The City is happy for the opportunity to partner with the Chamber on such a worthwhile project for our community,” stated Mayor John Stanforth.
For more information on the Chamber, its projects, and local businesses, please visit www.wccchamber.com or contact 937-382-2737.
For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.clintoncountyohiofoundation.org or contact 937-566-1634.
