The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) has donated 2,000 non-surgical masks to two South Carolina school districts and to the state’s law enforcement community.

“We are incredibly proud to donate these masks to help protect front-line workers who are providing critical services during this time of need,” said Sara Hazzard, President and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance. “Manufacturers across the state have stepped up and retooled their operations in order to produce vital PPE products. This is an excellent example of one-way manufacturers are pitching in to support our State and its citizens to combat the greatest health challenge of our time.”

The masks were manufactured by Carolina Creative Products, a company based in Greenville, SC that produces bandanas. Carolina Creative Products began producing masks in March at the request of BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC who donated their order to local Upstate community partners.

Carolina Creative Products produced an additional 2,000 masks that were distributed by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance to local partners. The Horry County School District and the Florence 1 School District have each received 500 masks that will be used by food service workers and bus drivers who are delivering meals to area students. 1,000 masks were donated to the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association to distribute to law enforcement agencies.

“Carolina Creative Products is honored to produce and donate these masks,” said James Bradley, Vice President of Manufacturing for Carolina Creative Products. “I am very proud of our company’s associates who were able to shift production to make this product in a timely manner.”

“The education community is grateful for this generous donation,” said Molly Spearman, State Superintendent of Education. “Food service workers and bus drivers in schools across our state are working tirelessly to provide students with meals during this time of need. This donation will help ensure employees’ safety and well-being as they maintain this vital service to the families of South Carolina.”

“On behalf of South Carolina’s Sheriffs, I’d like to thank Carolina Creative Products for the incredibly generous donation of 1,000 masks to various Sheriffs’ Offices across the State,” said Jarrod Bruder, Executive Director of the SC Sheriffs’ Association. “Their innovation and ingenuity will help protect Deputy Sheriffs continue to fight an invisible enemy as they strive to serve and protect our communities. I also want to thank the members and leadership of the SC Manufacturers Alliance for their unwavering support of first responders and for helping to coordinate this donation. Both Carolina Creative Products and the SCMA have displayed the resilient spirit that makes South Carolina and her business community so unique and so special.”