Wellesley Seniors, Children Receive PPE Thanks To Grant

WELLESLEY, MA — The Wellesley Fire Department was awarded over $3,000 by the Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund. The money will be used to purchase personal protective equipment for seniors and children.

In total, the department received $3,300 for PPE for seniors and hand-sewn masks for kids:

• New KN95 masks for Senior Citizens and Medically Vulnerable Residents. These medical grade masks are critical for the safety of high-risk residents but are not intended for long term use and supplies continue to be scarce. Grant money awarded in May was used to buy 1,800 KN95 masks. This additional grant will purchase 900 more masks that can be distributed to residents this fall and winter.
• Materials for Child Masks. While homemade adult masks continue to be sewn by many local groups, this PPE is often too large and may be uncomfortable for many children and teens. To ensure this group remains protected, money from the Wellesley Fire Department grant will assist the Sewing COVID-19 Help – Working Together group with sourcing fabric and small ear loop materials to make 2,500 homemade masks for young members of our community.

“Ensuring that our most vulnerable residents, both young and old, have proper PPE has become one of the most important goals of the Wellesley Fire Department during this pandemic,” said Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Peterson. “With money from the Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund, we can meet that goal. The KN95 masks give seniors freedom and confidence knowing that they are properly protected from the virus. The homemade mask materials ensure our children will be safe when going back to school and taking part in other activities in the fall.”