Quad Cities business community answers call for PPE donations

On behalf of the Quad Cities COVID-19 Coalition, the Quad Cities Chamber has encouraged area businesses to donate their extra personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Salvation Army amid critical supply shortages created by the pandemic. 

The business community’s response to the coalition’s call has been astonishing. 

So far the Salvation Army has received about 7,000 surgical masks, 5,000 latex gloves, 70 surgical gowns and 15 Tyvek coveralls from area businesses, development director Bill Horrell said. He has also collected about 1,000 hand-sewn masks from individuals. 

Arconic, Deere & Company, Exelon Generation, McCarthy-Bush Corporation, Russell, Shive-Hattery, Tri-City Electric Co. and Valley Construction are among the many Chamber member companies that have donated PPE to the Salvation Army and directly to health systems. Other companies are stepping up by manufacturing PPE for health care workers. 

The business community's response to the coronavirus pandemic has struck Horrell as a bit of déjà vu.

Just a year ago the Salvation Army witnessed firsthand the overwhelming generosity of Quad Citizens as the organization collected donations for residents and businesses ravaged by record Mississippi River flooding. Now Horrell is helping collect PPE for those on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.

“We saw this last year with flooding,” he said. “We see it this year with COVID. People in the Quad Cities really do come together and support one another in a time of need.”

Arconic

Arconic Davenport Works responded to an area health system’s request for PPE in March and donated 100 N-95 respirator masks and around 200 pairs of safety glasses, said Communications & Public Affairs Manager John Riches. 

Deere & Company

Responding to a similar request from an area health system, Deere & Company donated more than 300 pairs of safety glasses in March, said Mara Downing, Vice President, Global Brand and Communications, and President, John Deere Foundation. Since then, Deere factories in eight states have been donating surplus inventory of PPE to hospitals in the communities where Deere employees live and work, including the Quad Cities.

Exelon Generation

Exelon Generation donated 6,000 pairs of safety glasses to the regional emergency response effort and expects to donate more needed supplies in the coming weeks. 

“We absolutely recognize our obligation and responsibility to support this community and the current COVID-19 challenges within the region,” Exelon spokesman Bill Stoermer said. “We will continue working with our local businesses to provide support where we can.” 

Tri-City Eelctric Co.

Tri-City Electric Co. donated 1,000 N95 respirator masks, 485 pairs of booties, 32 bottles of hand sanitizer, 225 coveralls, among other items. 

“People matter” is one of Tri-City Electric Co.’s core values. “Throughout our 125-year history, Tri-City Electric Co. has stood united, strong and confident for our customers, employees, vendors and communities,” said company spokeswoman Tami Wendt. “As we endure these uncertain times, we will continue to live by these principles. We are naturally compelled to do whatever we can to help.”

Valley Construction

Valley Construction donated several boxes of Tyvek coveralls, N95 respirator masks and safety glasses to area hospitals. 

When asked why his company made the donation, Valley Construction President Greg Hass said, “This is what we do. We help each other out in times like these. Also, we keep a pretty good reserve of safety equipment for the nature of our business, so we were able to donate. We also have better access to these items than most, so we've purchased more of the mentioned items and gave those as well.”

Manufacturing PPE

The Chamber is also responding to the federal government's call for manufacturing specialized equipment by working with area companies that can pivot production and make PPE and other emergency supplies. 

Chamber member Grace Engineered Products, for example, is producing plastic face shields. Representatives of the Chamber helped connect Grace Engineered Products with plastic vendors in the area to use as potential supply sources.

Deere is producing face shields at a centralized location in the Quad Cities, Downing said. The equipment soon will be distributed to Deere factories in Iowa and donated for use on the frontlines at hospitals around the state. 

In addition,

• Chamber member QC Co-Lab is building face shields as well as fabric masks. 
• Chamber members Sears Seating and HNI Corporation are making isolation gowns and cloth masks, the Quad-City Times reports.

To donate PPE in Rock Island County and Scott County, contact Bill Horrell with the Salvation Army at 563-324-4808 or [email protected].

To sell PPE, contact Dave Donovan, Director of the Scott County Emergency Management Agency, at 563-484-3036 or [email protected].