(WXYZ) — A metro Detroit duo has teamed up to create and donate face masks during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mark and Fred Hajjar, who own UglyChristmasSweater.com, also own Inkpressions, which produces apparel like hats, sweaters, pants, jackets and more.
During the coronavirus pandemic, they have transformed their 30,000 square-foot facility and gone through sewing training with the goal to make 50,000 medically-inspried masks with a filter by the end of April. They plan to keep making them as long as there is a need.
While the are not meant to replace the N95 masks needed by medical professionals, they can act as a reusable replacement for others in the public.
On top of that, they are looking for up to 25 additional employees to either sew from their facility or at home if they have the proper equipment.
They have also donated 10,000 masks to several non-profits in the area, including Neighborhood Service Organization, The Guidance Center, Northeast Guidance Center, Hegirah Health, Community Care Services, All Well Being Services, Detroit Recovery Project and Lincoln Behavioral Services.
Those who want to buy a mask can, and they have a buy-one, give-one campaign. For business that purchases masks, the group will also donate a mask to th eMI Behavior Collaborative, which is a group of behavioral health providers in Wayne County.
Beginning today, the company is also launching a buy one, give one campaign. So any business that places a purchase for their employees/staff, they will donate a mask to the MI Behavioral Collaborative, a 501(c) (6), made up of a group of behavioral health providers in Wayne County through collaboration, information sharing and advocacy, that will benefit and enhance the quality of care for the individuals they each serve. Many listed above.
For more information, visit, www.Inkpressions.com.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.