Posted: April 6, 2020
As you are aware, people and organizations all over the US are finding creative ways to develop and produce much-needed PPE for our healthcare workers, first responders and other essential personnel who are battling COVID-19 on a daily basis. We applaud everyone who is adding to the effort from families at home making masks and covers; to individuals and organizations donating money and materials; to manufacturers, large and small, who have pivoted to making shields and other equipment.
Here at Bounce, it’s no different. As most of you know, we have a workshop and makerspace that currently houses four sewing machines, a laser cutter and three 3D printers. Many of you have reached out to ask how we are helping. As a relatively small operation and a nonprofit, we’ve been working for the last two weeks to make connections and work with community partners in getting something up and running. To be sure, we are making our best effort to activate the makerspace and offer our resources (machines and expertise) to the community to help with COVID-19.
To be successful, we need machines, people and materials. The first two, we’ve got. The third is a bit trickier. Truthfully, as a nonprofit, we have limited resources to purchase materials. Our donation is the equipment and the people/expertise. So we’re asking for your help.
Here is an update on where we’re at with PPE and how members of our community can assist us.
Mask Covers
Bounce is currently working with three hospital systems to produce mask covers. We have four sewing machines, but with social distancing, can only use one at a time. To that, we are primarily looking for more people to help us sew (thank you to the volunteers who have already stepped up!). We have kits with materials that you can pick up from Bounce, curbside (see below on how to schedule a pick up). Each hospital has their own specs, so we have instructions for each one. Or, if you have material at home, and want to help sew, we can email instructions to you. And eventually, we may need volunteers to help cut material.
We currently have enough material for 100-150 covers. So to continue beyond that, we’re also asking for:
- Additional volunteers
- Donations of materials
- Monetary donations for materials
Face Shields
We are prototyping a 3D-printed face shield that eventually will be available to hospitals and frontline workers. To help expedite this process, we are asking for:
- Partners to help us locate and/or purchase materials
- Monetary donations to help us purchase materials if we can’t find a partner
In all, we have an amazing community here at Bounce and beyond. While we are delayed in getting something out to hospitals and the front lines, we anticipate the need will last for some time and will not slow down any time soon. Please help us activate our makerspace to help our frontline workers right now. If you’re at home and wondering how you can help, this is it.
To make a monetary donation, please visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BounceInnovationHub/ .
To donate materials, or to schedule a time to pick up/drop off sewing kits/mask covers, please contact Rose Saborse, our director of community and partnerships, who is in charge of these efforts at Bounce. You can reach her at rsaborse@bouncehub.org.
Thank you!