New Britain High School Transformed into Assembly Line with okay industries to create 22,000 Face Shields for Local Health Care Workers
(New Britain, CT) – Production is underway at New Britain High School to make 22,000 medical face shields to be donated to local health care workers and first responders. The NBHS Gymnasium has been transformed into a "pop up” manufacturing site to make the face shields through a collaboration with OKAY Industries and the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain over the next three weeks during the COVID-19 crisis.
The project is the result of a partnership between OKAY Industries, CSDNB, and CFGNB – which donated $50,000 towards the materials to produce the face shields, with the support of several other partners. The face shields were designed by OKAY Industries engineers, with approval by Hartford HeathCare. More than 15,000 face shields will be donated to Hartford HealthCare for medical professionals at its multiple facilities, including the Hospital of Central Connecticut. Other recipients of the face shields include the Hospital for Special Care, first responders in New Britain, Berlin, Plainville, and Southington, the EMS Academy in New Britain, CSDNB health offices, and other Greater Hartford first responders and area shelters.
“The medical professionals in our community treating others and combatting COVID-19 every day during this unprecedented time are true heroes,” said Nancy Sarra, Superintendent of Schools. “Many of them are also alumni or parents of our students and therefore beloved members of our CSDNB family. We are proud that we can support their courageous efforts through the manufacturing capabilities we have at New Britain High School during the school closure.”
Volunteers are being sought from the community to join the assembly line to help in production. Under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strict regulations will be followed to keep employees and volunteers safe and healthy. Each day, there will be two shifts consisting of three assembly lines per shift and eight volunteers per assembly line. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Sondra Sanford at sanfords@csdnb.org or register here via SignUpGenius.
See more about the Face Shields Project from the following media outlets.
Click here for story by NBC Connecticut (1)
Click here for story by NBC Connecticut (2)
