AIS Donates Masks to Fitchburg and Leominster School Systems
AIS partnered with over 20 community sponsors for the donation valued at $50,000
AIS, a leading manufacturer of commercial office furniture and seating, announced that they have partnered with over 20 community sponsors to donate 14,000 high-quality, reusable facemasks to students and teachers at the Leominster and Fitchburg Public Schools.
The mask donation was made possible by AIS, the United Way North Central Massachusetts, Avidia Bank and numerous community and business leaders in the cities of Leominster and Fitchburg. The donation is valued at nearly $50,000.
“This donation ensures that every student and adult in the Leominster Public Schools has a high-quality mask to help protect them against the spread of COVID-19. Seeing the community come together and provide us with a donation of this magnitude is amazing. There isn’t a need students have that we can’t fill because of our city. On behalf of my staff, my students and their families – thank you for supporting us. This is tremendous for all of us,” said Leominster Superintendent of Schools Paula Deacon.
“On behalf of Fitchburg Public Schools, and the City of Fitchburg, I want to thank AIS and the United Way of North Central Massachusetts for the donations of masks for our students and staff. Keeping our community safe is our number one priority,” said Fitchburg Superintendent of Schools Robert Jokela. “AIS’ donation of masks is a much-appreciated act of generosity and kindness to a twin city partner. Bruce was right, there is no Red or Blue, only us taking care of each other.”
AIS was recently honored by the Boston Business Journal with the Corporate Citizenship Award for the 2nd year in a row and was named a Corporate Hero by MassEcon, the state’s private sector partner in promoting business growth in Massachusetts. In addition, AIS was recognized for its efforts on the floor of the United States Congress by Congressman James McGovern as an example of an initiative launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect America.
“No student or school faculty member should be worried about access to personal protective equipment as we continue working to make our schools safe for everyone,” said Bruce Platzman, CEO of AIS. “We are grateful to all of the sponsors who partnered with us to be able to support our community with these high-quality, comfortable and reusable masks.”
AIS allocated a production line of its employees in early April on the manufacturing floor to facemasks using an EPA approved antimicrobial fabric with exceptional moisture repellency for the covers and a non-treated, comfortable inner layer filter of nonwoven polypropylene. In an effort to grow the program and provide more masks, the Sew the Masks campaign launched in May and has since mobilized AIS sewing professionals as well as more than 1000 private, individual sewing enthusiasts – known as “Rosies” – from 45 different states who have been creating high-quality masks from AIS-sourced materials that have been donated to first responders and healthcare personnel, as well as others on the frontline and at risk in the fight against COVID-19.
ABOUT AIS
AIS, headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, is a leading manufacturer of commercial office furniture and boasts one of the most impressive stories of growth and success in the furniture industry. Founded in 1989, the company is known for offering market-relevant, feature-rich product lines that entice designers and support the diverse needs of end-users while offering exceptional value. AIS is an innovator that leads the industry in sustainable, lean manufacturing, lead-time performance and manufacturing flexibility. The Boston Business Journal has twice recognized AIS – in 2019 and 2020 – with its Corporate Citizenship Award. AIS has permanent showrooms at its Leominster headquarters and also in Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C. With locations across the U.S., AIS has more than 800 employees and over 1 million square feet of office, showroom and factory space. Sales for 2019 were $220 million. AIS founded the Sew the Masks program with the United Way of North Central Massachusetts in May 2020 to help in the fight of COVID-19 with a goal to produce and deliver 1 million masks. For more information, visit www.ais-inc.com and www.sewthemasks.com.
