Manufacturers Group Donates Hand Sanitizer Kits to Elderly
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several Ohio companies have come together to donate more than 1,300 hand sanitizer kits to protect the health of older Ohioans, the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19 announced Monday.
The kits – made to U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards – were distributed by the Ohio Department of Aging to the state’s Area Agencies on Aging for use by direct care workers as they provide older residents with meals, transportation, and home and personal care services.
“Even during these tough times, Ohioans and Ohio companies continue to be generous. We thank all of the businesses that donated these important items,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “We are making sure these donations are getting into the hands of our older Ohioans and the people who help care for them.”
Procter & Gamble donated 4,000 gallons of hand sanitizer. Cleveland Whiskey, a distillery, donated its services to bottle and process the sanitizer into kits. Axium, a manufacturer of plastic containers with operations in Columbus, donated bottles. Magnet, the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, donated bottles, pour spouts and cartons, while the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19 facilitated collaboration among the partners.
Other companies contributing to the effort include Gojo Industries, which donated 4,752 gallons of Purell sanitizer in 16-ounce bottles. In addition, BASF Corp. donated 936 gallons of sanitizer in 1.3-gallon dispensers and Anheuser-Busch provided 433 gallons in eight-ounce squeeze bottles.
Each kit includes three gallons of sanitizer and 12 refillable bottles.
“This project reflects how Ohio businesses of all sizes are collaborating to keep our citizens safe as we reopen the economy,” said Eric Burkland, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “This team effort facilitated by [the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19] brought together organizations with diverse resources and skills to fill an urgent need.”
“Our teams have worked for months to retool production lines, coordinate with health experts, and source materials to help make this possible,” said Ethan Karp, president and CEO of Magnet. “What a powerful example of Ohioans coming together to support each other – and especially those who are particularly vulnerable to this virus.”
In the next phase of the hand sanitizer initiative, the alliance is developing a partnership with the seven Urban League chapters in Ohio. In the next few weeks, more hand sanitizer kits will be distributed through the Urban League to minority-owned businesses, community organizations and faith-based organizations.
“The Urban League of Greater Cleveland is pleased to organize an effort in collaboration with our six other Urban League affiliates across the state of Ohio to distribute sanitizer kits into our minority communities,” said Marsha Mockabee, CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. “We applaud this partnership that will provide the kits and this opportunity to support small businesses, churches and community organizations in Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Lorain County and Warren/Youngstown.”
For more information, visit RepurposingProject.com. To find masks, gloves and related products, visit the Ohio Emergency PPE Maker’s Exchange.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
