Every year, United Way of Wayne County focuses on making sure that our most vulnerable communities have access to basic needs, education, health and wellness, and financial stability. In the midst of a pandemic, that commitment has not waivered. Earlier this year, United Way spearheaded a drive to provide teachers and students with much needed cleaning supplies. America’s Mask Challenge, a new initiative, has been formed with United Way Worldwide, Business Roundtable, CDC Foundation and HanesBrands to provide every student, teacher and staff at Title 1 schools with face masks.

Wayne County Public Schools will receive 104,500 masks through the America’s Mask Challenge. Every student, teacher and staff at a Title I school will receive a package of 5 masks. America’s Mask Challenge is covering the cost of the masks and delivery to our community. This effort will ensure our most vulnerable population is equipped with protective gear to slow the spread of Covid19 and protect our economically vulnerable students, teachers, and staff.

Sherry Archibald, United Way of Wayne County Executive Director said, “The Mask Challenge initiative will help ensure our most vulnerable residents have masks to help keep them healthy and help slow the spread in our community. We are thankful for the support of HanesBrands and recognize that local and national partnerships such as these are necessary to meet the needs of our communities.”

United Way Worldwide is administering the Mask Challenge funds and HanesBrands will produce and deliver the masks at cost. To learn more about how to participate in the Mask Challenge, visit: https://www.unitedway.org/pages/maskchallenge.