Locally-owned small business Equip, Inc. puts work on hold to manufacture reusable, sterilizable PPE masks + other vital equipment for healthcare workers in need.

These are strange and challenging times, indeed. So when one of my clients, Equip Inc., shifted their entire business operation to manufacturing protective equipment for healthcare workers serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had to do whatever I could to help them build the support the need to continue this important effort.

Equip, Inc. is a custom cover manufacturer based in Colorado Springs, CO. The organization is a small business, directly feeling the side effects of a newly-lagging economy and scrambling with the need to migrate its front office personnel to home-based offices. Yet in spite of their own challenges, they are bravely partnering with Colorado Crafting for a Cause to manufacture PPE equipment at a time when that equipment is scarce. According to their website:

We are working under the guidance and direction of local EMS and Fire Departments, Hospitals and Medical Care Facilitators to produce PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) items for our community, starting with protective face masks.

The specific materials, assembly, fit and preparation of these masks will follow protocols established for masks used during the H1N1 epidemic. The materials used allow these masks to be sterilized after each use using an Autoclave device.

The level and amount of pride I have, to be working with a small business organization who is setting aside their own business + goals to pursue the needs of the public good, has truly set my life into motion today. My own work with them is on hold currently. And while I am a small business owner with concerns myself, Equip Inc. has reminded me that this truly is the most important thing anyone can do right now. That perspective is a gift, and my heart sings with gratitude today.

As you can imagine, the manufacture of approved, reusable PPE equipment by a small business organization requires some support. If you have even a small amount to donate, please do so. Hospital and healthcare staff across the state and the country will thank you for it, as will the millions of people eager to get through this stay-at-home order as quickly -- and safely -- as possible.

Please visit this link to donate to this cause + ensure that Equip can provide our front-lines healthcare workers with the equipment they desperately need: gf.me/u/xr5khy.