Businesses boost the front lines
Donations, products and discounts offered
To slow the spread of COVID-19, measures are in place to keep people apart.
But for many people — playing roles in a variety of vital services — distance is not an option, putting them at greater risk.
Many members of the Calgary area business community are showing their appreciation for front-line workers with contributions varying from hefty discounts on products and services to donations.
In response to the pandemic, Minhas Breweries and Distillery began producing hand sanitizer. The Calgaryfounded business used its new product to help an array of organizations in Alberta. At press time, Minhas Breweries had donated 142,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, with more being donated daily.
The sanitizer has gone to emergency services, health-care professionals, health authorities and organizations such as men’s and women’s shelters, animal shelters, food banks, newcomer services, Meals on Wheels, seniors’ care centres and trucking services.
“I feel honoured to help my community and fellow Albertans get through this unprecedented time with our resources,” says Manjit Minhas, the company’s co-founder and chief executive officer.
“We had to quickly make the decision to retool and repurpose our team members to ask our suppliers and colleagues to help us source ingredients and get all Health Canada approvals to start making Minhas Distillery Hand Sanitizer 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” she adds.
“Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is proven to help stop the spread of germs and it’s so important to clean and sanitize our hands often, especially when outside of the home when soap and water are not available.”
Front-line workers who wear masks are experiencing another pressing need. Many of these masks are designed with elastic bands that fit behind the user’s ears. Continual use can become uncomfortable.
Kings Energy Services, which manufactures, distributes and services valves, instruments and measurement devices, is producing a solution to this problem from its head office in Red Deer County. Using its 3D plastic printer, the company is creating and donating mask clips — a band that runs behind the head, with clips to attach the elastic to. They’re producing 70 a day.
“These clips keep them off of people’s ears, off their ponytails, and (create) a level of comfort for frontline workers who have to wear these masks every day,” says Scott Fraser, president of Kings Energy Services.
“It’s been very wellreceived,” says Fraser, adding he encourages others with 3D printers to do the same. “We’re just trying to do our part.”
The idea of front-line workers unwittingly bringing COVID-19 home with them and passing it to members of their family drove another business to step up.
After a nurse posted her concerns about this potential on a Facebook group for Airdrie moms, Airdrie-based Western RV Country reached out with the offer to use one of their RVS. If the need arose, this would allow her to remain close to her family while in self-isolation.
This sparked significant demand.
“At its peak, we loaned 21 trailers across the province,” says Brandon Urban, operations manager with Western RV Country.
He adds, however, that due to “limited resources right now” the company has “pretty much reached its capacity in being able to do so.”
“It’s very rewarding and gratifying to play a small role in helping provide some comfort and peace of mind to those who are on the front lines,” he adds, calling them “true heroes.”
Major financial contributions are rolling in, as well. This includes Altagas committing $1 million to “partner organizations on the front lines supporting local communities and providing critical support to our health-care workers addressing the health crisis,” says a news release from the Calgary-based energy infrastructure company.
Then there are businessdriven fundraisers, such as Denca Cabinets. Until May 31, it will match every donation up to a maximum of $5,000 as it pushes for a total commitment of $10,000 or more. All donations will go to the Calgary Food Bank.
Businesses in the Calgary area are showing their support by offering special deals for front-line workers, as well.
One example is Dolphin Dry Cleaners, which is offering its Wash N’ Roll laundry services free to front-line workers.
“We see how hard our front-line workers are being challenged right now, and we just wanted to do our part to ease their burden,” says owner Imran Rajpoot. “By offering our Wash N’ Roll laundry service to them at no charge, we can help them get their time back to recharge and reconnect to their own families.
“The service has been very well-received and we are so proud that our team can be a small part of helping these heroes of the community,” adds Rajpoot.
Meanwhile, SM Automotive is offering Alberta Health Services employees 50 per cent off oil changes and 25 per cent off other automotive repairs.