Catherine Wilson, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Newark (UWGN), announced that UWGN will deliver 221,000 masks to Newark Public School District Title I schools. This initiative is part of America’s Mask Challenge, a new partnership between United Way Worldwide, the Business Roundtable and the CDC Foundation to provide 200 million washable face masks to every student, teacher and staff member in America’s most under-resourced schools. These masks are provided by HanesBrands, who donated 25 million masks to the Challenge. Hanes has followed CDC guidance to ensure that the masks meet appropriate safety standards.
“We know masks work and that they’re a crucial way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the spread of the coronavirus,” said Wilson. “We are excited to participate in this challenge and to donate masks to Newark Public School District’s students, teachers and staff. While ensuring access to personal protective equipment is the first step in protecting our community members, we encourage everyone to wear a mask when they have one and to continue to social distance in order to stop the spread of this deadly virus.”
Superintendent of Schools Roger León stated, “We are pleased to be recipients of America’s Mask Challenge. This generous donation will help us keep our students and staff, and ultimately our families, safe as we continue to maintain some sense of normalcy during this pandemic” he added.
The goal of the Challenge is to provide cloth masks to 40 million students, teachers and staff members at schools receiving federal Title I funding, which translates roughly to five washable masks per person. The Challenge launched in mid-December 2020 and is covering the cost of the masks and delivery to support schools in districts across the country.
