Hand Sanitizers for Organizations In Need
Donation protected
As a high schooler with extra time on my hands at home due to COVID-19, I wanted to try to do something to help people deal with the pandemic. After doing some research, I realized that many charitable organizations need hand sanitizers to distribute to their employees and the communities that they serve.
In particular, I found Mary’s Center, a nonprofit community health center in downtown Washington, D.C. that provides healthcare and other services to underprivileged people, regardless of their age, income, or background.
I figured I could use some of the chemistry I had learned at school along with a little Internet research to help me produce my own hand sanitizer to give to Mary’s Center and other organizations in need. To make sure I followed the proper guidelines, I decided to use a hand sanitizer formula endorsed by the World Health Organization.
Understanding the formulation was easy enough, but actually finding the necessary ingredients and supplies was a nightmare. It seemed like every single distributor was out of isopropyl alcohol, plastic bottles, and spray heads---even when in stock, one liter of isopropyl alcohol was very expensive. After days of searching and contacting different distributors and manufacturers, I finally managed to find all the things I needed.
However, I wanted to make sure the final hand sanitizer would be as appealing and easy to use as possible. Ultimately, I came up with two ideas. First, I wanted to add a nice scent. The base formulation smelled really strongly of alcohol and chemicals, so I added some essential oils (like lavender and tea tree) to make it smell better. Second, I wanted to put a fun and recognizable design on the bottle, something that could be a tribute to all the heroic frontline healthcare and social workers fighting the pandemic. After trying a few design ideas, I stumbled upon the quote: “not all heroes wear capes”.
That’s where “Heroes No Capes” comes in.
As a community, I feel it is our duty to support workers for their courage during these uncertain times. In my eyes, these people are risking their lives every single day, making them real-life heroes -- who don’t wear capes!
With my own savings and the help of some friends and family, I was able to make an initial batch of about 200 4oz bottles of hand sanitizer.
I donated my first batch to Mary’s Center, and they told me that they love the product and could really use more!
Now, I need your help to purchase more ingredients so I can make more hand sanitizer. Beyond Mary’s Center, there are many more local organizations in need that I think we could help.
100% of donations will fund the creation and distribution of more bottles of “Heroes No Capes”. Every donation is greatly appreciated, and everything helps!
In particular, I found Mary’s Center, a nonprofit community health center in downtown Washington, D.C. that provides healthcare and other services to underprivileged people, regardless of their age, income, or background.
I figured I could use some of the chemistry I had learned at school along with a little Internet research to help me produce my own hand sanitizer to give to Mary’s Center and other organizations in need. To make sure I followed the proper guidelines, I decided to use a hand sanitizer formula endorsed by the World Health Organization.
Understanding the formulation was easy enough, but actually finding the necessary ingredients and supplies was a nightmare. It seemed like every single distributor was out of isopropyl alcohol, plastic bottles, and spray heads---even when in stock, one liter of isopropyl alcohol was very expensive. After days of searching and contacting different distributors and manufacturers, I finally managed to find all the things I needed.
However, I wanted to make sure the final hand sanitizer would be as appealing and easy to use as possible. Ultimately, I came up with two ideas. First, I wanted to add a nice scent. The base formulation smelled really strongly of alcohol and chemicals, so I added some essential oils (like lavender and tea tree) to make it smell better. Second, I wanted to put a fun and recognizable design on the bottle, something that could be a tribute to all the heroic frontline healthcare and social workers fighting the pandemic. After trying a few design ideas, I stumbled upon the quote: “not all heroes wear capes”.
That’s where “Heroes No Capes” comes in.
As a community, I feel it is our duty to support workers for their courage during these uncertain times. In my eyes, these people are risking their lives every single day, making them real-life heroes -- who don’t wear capes!
With my own savings and the help of some friends and family, I was able to make an initial batch of about 200 4oz bottles of hand sanitizer.
I donated my first batch to Mary’s Center, and they told me that they love the product and could really use more!
Now, I need your help to purchase more ingredients so I can make more hand sanitizer. Beyond Mary’s Center, there are many more local organizations in need that I think we could help.
100% of donations will fund the creation and distribution of more bottles of “Heroes No Capes”. Every donation is greatly appreciated, and everything helps!
Organizer and beneficiary
Aram Akhavan
Organizer
Chevy Chase, MD
Mehrdad Akhavan
Beneficiary