Reusable Masks for Broome County Citizens

Our world as we knew it has been turned upside down amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. While we may feel helpless and frustrated at the current state we are in, the Environmental and Ecology group of the Emerging Leaders Program at Binghamton University is trying to make a positive impact in whatever way we can. Our goal is to provide underrepresented  citizens of Broome County with reusable masks in order to reduce waste of disposable masks and increase public safety. We are raising funds in order to pay for the masks and fabric that will be needed to fulfill this goal. We are looking to purchase masks with at least 2 layers of tightly woven cotton, as these have been proven to be very effective at filtering harmful particles. Once we have the funds, we hope to distribute the masks at local soup kitchens to give each person 1 mask. With your help, we can begin to piece back together our community as the numbers in our county spike and more waste is produced.  Any amount helps tremendously and we would appreciate it more than you know. Thank you and stay healthy!

Here is additional information of how harmful waste from this pandemic is on our environment:
https://www-sciencedirect-com.proxy.binghamton.edu/science/article/pii/S0048969720338006