After one short week, the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab (SSC) COVID-19 face mask and shield effort has developed into a robust community project. With over 5,000 mask and shield requests submitted by assisted living facilities and other non primary healthcare facilities, the project has only just begun.

Longtime Suncoast Science Center donor, the Floyd C Johnson and Flo Singer Johnson Foundation, has generously provided a $15,000 gift to support the project and inspire more philanthropists to step forward during this unprecedented time of need.

“We weren’t surprised when we heard about the innovative manner in which the Suncoast Science Center was engaging the community to tackle this critical need,” shared Johnson Singer Foundation President Diane Barth. “Our board of directors voted unanimously to join the effort and we highly encourage others to do the same.”

Local mask and shield requests are growing and material costs are rising. As more requests filter in, donations are needed to protect as many healthcare workers as possible. No gift is too small to make a difference for our community’s healthcare heroes. To make a contribution to support the production of face masks and shields, visit https://suncoastscience.org/covid-19.

For those unable to donate monetarily, SSC welcomes gifts of time or talent. Over 120 volunteers have rallied to support the project to date. Those interested in sewing masks, assisting with face shield assembly, delivering supplies or even helping spread the word are encouraged to sign up at http://bit.ly/fabcovidvol. Fabric (100% cotton), 1/8-1/2” sewing elastic and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic sheets are in high demand. Supply donations can be dropped off in the donation bin outside the SSC at 4452 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34233.

Updates on the project.