TEXARKANA, Texas - Texas-based upholstered furniture maker Mayo Manufacturing has received a $10,000 donation from Arklatex 100, an organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement. Mayo received the donation because it has provided thousands of reusable and disposable cloth masks and gowns to first responders.

 

"As we've all seen, the response to the Coronavirus pandemic has led to an acute shortage of masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment," said Arklatex president Kelley Crisp. "Part of the mission of the Arklatex 100 Club is to support local law enforcement and first responders with the equipment they need to do their work safely."

 

In just a few weeks, Mayo Manufacturing stopped making furniture and shifted production to protective personal equipment. It has made upwards of 40,000 reusable cloth masks, 350,000 disposable masks, and more than 4,000 one-time-use gowns. 

 

Company president Steve Mayo received a call from Crisp, reports the Texarkana Gazette, who said masks are needed for police and jails. Mayo agreed to provide those masks. After word got out, hospitals, fire departments and other organizations began requesting the same equipment.

 

"Their donation is incredible and will help us offset the costs of the masks that we have donated to first responders, hospitals and stores," Mayo told the Gazette.

 

The company is selling every 10 masks in a bundle for $50. Masks are given to police and first responders for free, however.