PEABODY — A month after procuring and distributing hand sanitizer to fellow nonprofit organizations, disability assistance agency Northeast Arc on Wednesday is accepting a major delivery of masks, gloves and face shields to protect workers from coronavirus.
By sourcing from atypical companies, the non-profit stated that it managed to obtain 20,000 3-layer masks, 4,000 face shields, and 200 boxes of gloves.
Northeast Arc will outfit agency workers in residential and other agency settings with the protective gear and distribute it to representatives from the Department of Developmental Services, Lowell-based Life Links, Arc of Opportunity in Fitchburg and Arc of the South Shore.
It was Northeast Arc Chief Development Officer Craig Welton and former St. Anselm College classmate and Tobacco Road Distillers owner Sergio Bonavita who joined forces in March to obtain hand sanitizer.
When Bonavita heard how more than 150 Arc employees aiding developmentally disabled and medically vulnerable clients in 30 areas residences needed sanitizer, he jumped into action.
The Southwick, Mass., distillery concocted hand sanitizer using ethanol — a basic ingredient in consumable alcohol and hand sanitizer.
Tobacco Road shipped 630 64-ounce bottles to Northeast Arc and distribution began immediately to nonprofits including Bridgewell, Communitas Inc., in Wakefield, Plummer Youth Promise in Salem, and Arc organizations as far away as the Berkshires and Cape Cod.
Welton said hand sanitizer is vital for care providers keeping coronavirus at bay as they help residential and medically-needy clients meet daily needs.