It takes a village to raise a child… and it takes a global village to fight a pandemic.
In response to the coronavirus crisis, companies in all industries, from fashion to technology, are pitching in to support health and recovery efforts.
Here’s the who’s who in corporate generosity.
Gucci
This renowned Italian label is concentrating on more than clothes right now. Gucci has committed to providing 1,100,000 surgical masks and 55,000 medical gowns for hospitals and healthcare workers in Italy. In addition, Gucci is donating to crowdfunding campaigns like the World Health Organizations’ COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and the Italian Civil Protection Department.
Ralph Lauren
Back in America, lifestyle brand Ralph Lauren has pledged $10 million to the coronavirus relief effort. The WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund will receive a portion of the funds, as will the Emergency Assistance Foundation. Ralph Lauren is also contributing to the medical community with the production of at least 250,000 face masks and 25,000 isolation gowns.
Prada
Prada has taken drastic steps to support coronavirus relief efforts in Italy. Not only did the esteemed fashion brand reconfigure its factory in Perugia to produce 110,000 masks and 80,000 medical garments, it is also financing the ICUs of three new hospitals in Milan.
Havaianas
Havaianas, a Brazilian brand, converted its factories to produce the personal protective equipment (PPE) that health care professionals desperately need. The company is now manufacturing masks, sanitizers, and COVID-19 tests. As if that wasn’t enough, Havaianas is also distributing 100,000 kits with food and hygiene products to vulnerable communities in Brazil.
New Balance
In a recent post in Instagram, New Balance stated simply: “Made shoes yesterday. Making masks today.” In addition to donating $2 million in nonprofit grants to help local, regional, and global communities impacted by the coronavirus, New Balance is also developing and manufacturing its own set of face masks to help hospitals around the country.
Adidas
Another shoe manufacturer, Adidas, also joined the effort to produce personal protective equipment by collaborating with 3D printing company Carbon to produce face shields for frontline workers.
Boston Athletic Association
In a statement on Instagram, the Boston Athletic Association announced, “a $100,000 contribution to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund in addition to donating race-related medical supplies & food to local agencies.”
HP Inc.
Technology companies are getting creative in response to COVID-19. HP Inc., for example, is now partnering with its digital manufacturing community to create 3D printing resources. By distributing 3D printers to hospitals, HP is giving doctors and nurses the ability to create their own hand-free door openers, mask adjusters, face shields, field ventilators, face masks, and other essential personal protective equipment currently in short supply.
Oofos
Oofos is known for comfortable slide-on shoes, so in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, this company is donating more than 1,000 pairs of shoes to nurses and medical professionals at hospitals across the country. Frontline healthcare workers at some of the nation’s hardest-hit hospitals, including Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Florida, will be able to stay comfortable during their long shifts spent saving lives.
Sources
- https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a31901094/fashion-beauty-companies-coronavirus-donation/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2020/03/30/the-most-outrageously-awesome-ways-tech-companies-are-helping-in-times-of-the-covid-19-crisis/#4713f57c796c
- https://www.runnersworld.com/news/g31821098/running-fitness-companies-coronavirus-relief-efforts/