After the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. voted to approve its reopening plan, which included a mask-wearing requirement, Columbus City Council member Elaine Hilber asked herself, “What can I do to help out?”
Two days later, Hilber launched the “Mask to School” Venmo drive. People can Venmo @MaskToSchool with whatever amount they wish. And, donors may also provide the name of a specific school or teacher they wish to give the donation to.
The money from the drive goes towards purchasing disposable surgical masks, KN95 masks and hand sanitizer for teachers. Any extra money left over will be used to provide masks for nonprofits, emergency and healthcare workers.
Hilber said that she’s working with the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation to see if they can partner with the organization to receive a matching grant from the Heritage Fund for the Mask to School drive.
“This (drive) was just an idea that we started,” she explained. “It’s not, like, officially a nonprofit. So, the Heritage Fund needs it to be, like, a certified nonprofit in order to receive those matching grants.”
Hilber added that the drive isn’t just to get supplies for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. schools. For instance, she also received a donation for St. Peter’s.
As of July 27, the Mask to School drive had raised more than $600 — enough to purchase more than 2,000 surgical masks, over 125 KN95 masks and 50 one-ounce hand sanitizers. Hilber said that receiving a matching grant would double those amounts.
Hilber said she will be getting hand sanitizer from Dawn Andrews of Garb2ART Cosmetics in Columbus. The masks will come from a supplier out of Madison, Indiana, who is letting Hilber buy them at wholesale price.
Hilber said that while she knows that some schools are providing two masks each for teachers and students, two masks might not be enough, considering they have to be worn every day. She added that she believes surgical masks are “more effective.”
Another local way to provide COVID-19 prevention supplies to schools is by contacting the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, which is helping businesses with surplus, unused supplies connect with BCSC to donate items.
“When the state of Indiana opened its PPE Marketplace on May 6, they sent packages upon request to more than 10,000 Indiana businesses,” Frey said. “Not everyone needed the items that were sent. For example, the chamber received gallons of hand sanitizer and plastic face shields that it has no use for.”
Businesses can call the chamber to discuss donations or deliver unused, packaged masks or unopened hand sanitizer directly to the chamber at 500 Franklin St. The chamber will then pass these materials along to BCSC.
“Right now we are focused on BCSC because it serves more than 11,000 students across 18 campuses,” said chamber director Cindy Frey. “While the district may start the school (year) with enough supplies, we know the need will be ongoing.”
Frey also pointed to other community efforts during the pandemic. She commended businesses — such as Toyota, Faurecia, Cummins and George Utz Inc — for stepping up and donating their PPE to health care workers, first responders, nursing homes and other essential businesses. She also mentioned the mask-making efforts of seamstresses and home sewers.
In addition, the Columbus Chinese Association donated $50,000 worth of PPE to healthcare workers, first responders, the local government, BCSC, pharmacies and other groups.
“It takes a village,” Frey said. “We need to support our educators so they can do the essential work of teaching our children.”
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Venmo @MaskToSchool with:
- Your school and teacher name (if so desired)
- What you want to provide:
- $1 – disposable surgical mask
- $2 – KN95 mask
- $4 – hand sanitizer (99.5% isopropyl alcohol)
(The above amounts do not represent the cost of the items; they are merely suggested donation amounts.)
Anyone who does not have access to Venmo can mail a check to Elaine Hilber at 4265 Sharp Lane, Columbus, IN 47201.
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If businesses have unused, packaged masks or unopened hand sanitizer they would like to donate to BCSC schools, they can call the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce at (812) 379-4457 or deliver the items to the chamber, 500 Franklin St.
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