Are you part of a brand or business helping the fight against coronavirus? Let us know at coronatips@gearpatrol.com.
In light of Covid-19, we’re all looking for ways to help. And it’s not just politicians. Companies both small and large are stepping up to the plate: Some are simply gifting free gear to healthcare workers on the front lines. Others are putting profits aside to design, produce and create much-needed supplies like masks. Countless others are donating money to victims of the pandemic, such as hospitality workers at bars and restaurants that have had to close their doors.
Here is a running list of American businesses (in alphabetical order) you can support by shopping, sharing and donating to.
100%
100% makes performance sunglasses for cyclists, runners and motocross athletes, and now the brand is taking its goggles and sunglasses and donating them to the frontline workers. Personal protection equipment is lacking at hospitals and EMS divisions across the country, so 100% took steps to help its local community, the Los Angeles Fire Department Emergency Medical Services division and donated protective eyewear to those who need it. 100% also donated PPE for front-line workers in NYC, Denver, San Diego, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Phonix and Louisville. The brand also organized 100Percent Together, and partnered with the CDC Foundation to donate 20% of all web sales.
Adafruit Industries
Adafruit Industries is under the crunch like the rest of us, with its normal open-source chip-making activities on pause for the foreseeable future and many of its 130 employees at home (but still on the payroll). In the meantime, the company is working on developing low-cost, disposable, open-source face shields for medical workers, helping to simplify the supply chain constraints by spinning up manufacturing right in New York City.
Adobe
Adobe is offering Photoshop and InDesign free of charge to students worldwide in light of Covid-19. Adobe also announced a $3 million commitment to local and global trusted organizations like Covid-19 Coronavirus Regional Response Fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Covid-19 Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Apple
Apple has announced that, in the wake of the crisis, it will be sourcing 10 million masks to help stem shortages in the healthcare industry.
Askov Finlayson
Askov Finlayson, the Minnesota-based company that wants to Keep The North Cold, partnered with Second Harvest Heartland to support the hospitality industry. Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation’s largest hunger-relief organizations. Right now, the team is working with local restaurants to launch Minnesota’s Central Kitchen and get prepared meals to those in need. All profits from the tee go to the organization.
Atelier Savas
Nashville-based leather Atelier Savas will donate 50 percent of its sales of guitar straps to MusiCares, a program that helps musicians in need. Made from calfskin and backed with kangaroo leather, the straps feature solid brass buckles for adjustable lengths and cost $300. To purchase, DM @savas on Instagram.
Arvin Goods
Sustainable basics brand Arvin Goods has discounted all socks on its site to a ‘3 pair for $30’ model (including shipping. For each trio purchased, the brand will donate $5 to Feeding America via the Seattle organization Food Lifeline.
Beam Suntory
In an effort to help bar and restaraunt employees affected by mandated closures, Beam Suntory will join forces with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the largest wine and spirits distributor in the United States, to donate $1 million to the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) Foundation Emergency Assistance Program and the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation.
Bev
The Venice-based wine company purchased ethanol from its distributer to turn it into hand sanitizer for the local community. They’re giving it away for free to the homeless and elderly in Venice. The brand also set up an LA Service Workers Relief Fund, to help those in the Los Angeles area. Bev will match the first $3000 of donations and will be donating an additional 100 percent of all online sales.
Big Agnes
Big Agnes’s repair team is shifting its attention from sewing up tents and sleeping bags to producing face masks. Their goal is to make 10,000 for hospitals and healthcare workers in their local Colorado area, and they hope to begin producing gowns and scrubs using a unique fabric that’s reusable with washing.
Bobo’s
The snack bar brand launched a new flavor called, Healthcare Heroes Chocolate Chip Oat Bar, and for each pack of 6 bars you buy, Bobo’s will donate food to hospitals and medical teams in areas that are hit the hardest by Coronavirus. Bobo’s is pledging over 20,000 snack bars.
Boll & Branch
Boll & Branch started making 1,000 mattresses and donating 5,000 pillows to hospitals and emergency operations. The team will keep people employed while also helping medical and government agencies to prep for and respond to the crisis. Donate to the mattress fund here — it’s as simple as adding it to your cart.
Carhartt
Workwear brand Carhartt plans to manufacture 50,000 medical gowns starting April 6 and anticipates the production of 2.5 million CDC-approved masks around April 20.
Chaco
The company known for its trail-worthy sandals repurposed its Michigan-based factory, which focuses on repairs and customization, to produce face masks and other protective equipment for healthcare workers and first responders (it’s also making these products in its mobile repair bus, which is currently in the Pacific Northwest).
Chrome Industries
Chrome Industries is using its own resources and mobilizing makers to rally and sew masks to donate to medical pros. The brand’s custom bag makers are sewing masks and calling upon the maker community to join them, providing designs, patterns and instructions. You can email support@chromeindustries.com for more info, and a step-by-step story on Chrome’s Instagram shows how to make masks at home.
Citizen Watches
Japanese watchmaking giant Citizen announced on Instagram that a portion of proceeds from online sales will go to charities with the aim of supporting those most vulnerable to Covid-19. It will donate to the organization Jewelers for Children that works with charities such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make A Wish America, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and National CASA Association.
Dyson
Dyson has promised to make 15,000 ventilators to provide hospitals in the UK and around the world with more of the supplies they need. The ventilators will be ready in early April.
Eddie Bauer
Eddie Bauer announced it’s going to pivot production to create N95 and surgical masks that medical professionals need. The team is hoping to have its first batch of 5,000 masks at the distribution center by the end of the week (as of 3/26). Another shipment of 15,000 surgical masks should arrive by April 1.
Ergatta
Ergatta brings the rowing experience directly to your home with its at-home machine, and it is using that as an opportunity to give back. For new customers, Ergatta will donate $100 to the Meals on Wheels Covid-19 Response Fund with each purchase. And for existing members, Ergatta is launching new challenges like the Meals on Wheels Race of the Day — the 10-day series of races will increase in distance and each race that meets a certain participant threshold earns a $100 company donation.
Everlane
Shop tees, tanks, hoodies and sweats at Everlane and 100 percent of the profits will go to Feeding America’s Covid-19 Response Fund.
Fanatics
If you own any jerseys from the MLB, NBA, NHL or NFL, it’s likely that it was made by Fanatics. To support their home teams, Fanatics pivots from baseball jerseys to protective masks and gowns for hospitals in PA. They’ll be easy to spot as they feature the pinstripes most commonly associated with the Yankees and the Philadephia Phillies. Fanatics plans to make at least 1 million masks over the next few months.
Ford
Ford launched a program called Built to Lend a Hand, offering new buyers up to six months of deferred payments on all 2019 and 2020 vehicles except the F-Series Super Duty. Ford Credit is urging customers seeking payment relief to contact them through Ford Credit Support, the FordPass app or on a special hotline at 1-800-723-4016. Ford also announced plans to build 50,000 ventilators over the next 100 days in collaboration with GE healthcare.
Gantri
Gantri, a 3D-printing designer lighting company, is pausing regular production to re-gear its machines to producing 3D-printed visor frames for health workers. For any visor requests from health workers, the brand asks people to reach out via email.
Griffin Claw Brewing Company
Griffin Claw Brewing Company out of Birmingham, Michigan has switched its distilling operations to make free hand santizer for employees, first responders, medical professionals and its local community.
Hedley & Bennett
Hedley & Bennett makes aprons and chef’s gear, but given the times, the team is pivoting to create reusable, protective masks with some oversight from Dr. Robert Cho, the Chief of Staff of Shriners for Children Medical Center in Pasadena, California. While they aren’t FDA-approved, if used correctly, they should help minimize person to person droplet transmission of the virus.
Hyundai
Hyundai is offering 0 percent APR financing and three months of deferred payments on new vehicles through April 30, 2020. Hyundai will cover up to six months of payments during a Covid-19 job loss for buyers who purchase a new vehicle between March 14, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Existing customers who suffer a Covid-19 job loss or medically-related hardship can defer payments for up to three months.
Igloo
Buy a Playmate cooler from Igloo and 100 percent of the profits will go to the Coronavirus Response Fund now through April 20th.
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar and Land Rover are supplying a fleet of vehicles, including dozens of new Land Rover Defenders, to emergency response organizations such as the British Red Cross in order to help get food and medicine to vulnerable people in the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, South Africa and France.
JanSport
The backpack brand donates 10,000 packs to World Central Kitchen stocked with food to help underprivileged students who no longer have access to everything the schools were providing.
Keen
Keen is giving away 100,000 pairs of shoes to help anyone who needs to free themselves of another expense during this tenuous time. Know someone who needs a pair of boots or shoes? Head to Keen’s website to nominate that person by entering his or her email address.
Kitsbow
The cycling apparel company based in Old Fort, North Carolina, changed gears from designing performance apparel to making face shields and reusable face masks. The first shipment went out Monday, March 23. Shields are going to Asheville-based Buncombe County Emergency Management and Burke County Emergency Management; masks will head to medical clinics in Salem, Oregon. The team is also selling the masks to local first responders and medical staff and hopes to send them internationally.
LVMH
The conglomerate that owns Dior, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy will supply several million surgical masks in France as well as hydroalcoholic gel. The team will gift the gel to French health authorities as soon as possible.
Luminox
The famed outdoor watch company is donating 10% of its watch proceeds over the next 10 days to Direct Relief, an organization dedicated to providing protective equipment to health care organizations in areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Maho Shades
Maho Shades is giving 20 percent off sunglasses while simultaneously donating 20 percent of your purchase to United Way’s community crisis fund for food programs, rent/utilities and distress non-profit support. To make it happen, use code UWBC at checkout through April 15.
MGA
The brand that specializes in kids toys quickly recognized the lack of medical supplies and launched Operation: PAC-MAN. The initiative raises funds to buy supplies and donate them to medical workers. Hospitals and medical centers can request PPEs and you can donate all on one page.
Neighborhood Goods
Buy anything at Neighborhood Goods including Hill City socks, the most comfortable looking Sherpa Pullover or a candle that reminds you of home, and the brand will donate 2 percent of all purchase to the COVID-19 Response Fund. The Fund gives to UNICEF USA, United Nations Foundation Inc., CDC Foundation and Feeding America.
New Balance Foundation
The Boston organization has committed $2 million in non-profit grants to support local, regional and global communities. These funds will be allocated to Global Giving, No Kid Hungry, Boston Resiliency Fund, Groundwork Lawrence, Good Shepherd Food Bank in Maine, the St. Louis Area Foodbank and select organizations from New Balance Foundation’s network of more than 60 grantees around the world, which support children and families with a focus on health, nutrition, education and physical activity. New Balance is also shifting gears in its Lawrence, Massachussetts facilities to create facial masks.
New Belgium
The popular brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado launches a Bar & Restaurant Relief Fund to help support their CO and Asheville, NC-communities. New Belgium donated $50,000, plus committed to match donations up to an additional $50,000. You can donate here. The money will be gifted as a grant to laid off or furloughed workers from restaurants, bars, nightclubs, music halls or stadiums. Applications are accepted through April 5, 2020.
Nomad
Nomad, traditionally the makers of wireless chargers and other phone accessories, is turning its attention to making equipment that can help battle COVID-19. It is currently taking orders for face masks from medical professionals, first responders, and essential businesses.
Oofos
The brand that makes incredibly soft recovery sandals, slippers and lifestyle shoes are planning to donate 1,000 pairs of Oofos shoes to nurses and medical professionals across the country. Healthcare facilities include the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Swedish Hospital in Chicago, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Florida, Prebys Cardiovascular Institute at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla and Palomar Medical Center in California, Hackensack Meridian Health at Pascack Valley Medical Center in New Jersey and Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta. Oofos will also offer special offers and benefits to nurses across the country through RealID.me.
Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research will use its onshore manufacturing operation in Seattle, which makes specialized tactical apparel for the armed forces, to churn out upward of 200,000 masks a day, including both surgical and N95 respirator masks. The company is a longtime contractor for the U.S. Military.
Pacific Shaving Co.
The Pacific Shaving Co. donated 100 percent of profits from the website to the CDC foundation for several weeks in March.
Parmigiani
High-end Swiss watchmaker Parmigiani has instated a “Helping Heroes” program to contribute to the fight against coronavirus intended to benefit healthcare workers as well as watch retailers hurt by the pandemic. A tax-free donation to local US healthcare workers can be credited toward a Parmigiani watch — up to its full price. In addition, when purchasing through the brand’s newly established e-commerce platform, a local retailer is credited with the purchase.
Pirelli
Pirelli has decided to cancel the production and launch of the 2021 Pirelli Calendar. In the context of other initiatives already undertaken by the company, a project called The Cal will donate 100,000 euros to the fight against and research into Coronavirus.
Rhone
Rhone, the men’s activewear and clothing brand, is donating 10 percent of all proceeds to the Direct Relief foundation through May 1. The foundation works to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies and spans all 50 states.
Rogue
Rogue specializes in Crossfit equipment like barbells, plates and weights, but the company is switching gears to manufacture medical supplies. The supply-chain team started sourcing raw materials and supplies for local medical groups, and it’s prototyping masks. Rogue also just hired 100 people from the community to help support demand.
Saxx
The underwear-turned-activewear brand is donating undies to healthcare workers in the ER and ICU at Lions Gate Hospital in its hometown of Vancouver, Canada, and is also planning to donate to hospitals in the Portland, Oregon area. The brand is also offering a front-line care package (pictured above) at 30 percent off that you can gift to medical pros.
Stitch Fix
The brand that works with over 1,000 labels to hand-select the best clothes for your size, style and life is shifting gears to make PPE at its textile and sewing factory in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. Stitch Fix is making washable, reusable masks to help out hospitals.
Theragun
Beyond discounting products, the massage gun company will donate a portion of all sales to Feeding America. Each Theragun sold will provide 100 meals, and having surpassed its initial goal of donating 100,000 meals, the brand is now aiming for 250,000. The team at Theragun is also donating devices to hospital break rooms across the country to help those on the front lines banish tension and stress and keep their bodies feeling good. If you know a medical professional who needs one, DM Theragun on Instagram.
Thousand Helmets
Home deliveries have become more critical than ever, and in many places, the act is still undertaken by bike. To help, Thousand launched its Courier Care Program, which provides free helmets to delivery people who reach out via email to taylor@explorethousand.com.
Topo Designs
The Colorado-based outdoor company known for its slightly retro, lifestyle flair has committed to making 10,000 face masks for the Colorado Mask Project. Funding for the endeavor comes directly from the sales of face masks, which you can purchase on its website for $16.
Tread and Butter
Know a nurse or hospital worker who could use a new pair of insoles to stay upright during those long hours at the hospital? Fill out this form and the Tread & Butter team (known for its performance cork insoles) will do its best to get a pair to them.
Ursa Major
Stress can take its toll against the skin. So can spending all day wearing a face mask, usually in the form of acne, irritation and dryness. The Vermont skincare company Ursa Major is donating more than 10,000 bottles of face wash, tonic and moisturizer to hospitals across the U.S., including five in New York, where healthcare workers continue to battle a surge in patients.
York Athletics
The sneaker brand is doing its part to help out the frontline workers. The new initiative #FightFromHome lets you donate a pair of York sneakers to a frontline worker of your choice and York will send them, plus you get a pair, too. To start, York donated 50 pairs to workers at Boston’s Community Servings, a group that continues to serve meals to those who are critically ill.
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