A Sudbury industrial apparel-maker is gaining national acclaim for making good on its promise to help Northern Ontario long-term care facilities stock up on personal protective equipment (PPE) to guard against COVID-19.
In June, Covergalls, which manufactures coveralls tailored to a woman’s build, announced that it would put aside $5 from every sale of its 'Canada Strong' face masks to help purchase PPE for long-term care facilities, which were facing a shortage.
The company has now donated $2,000 to Golden Birches Terrace in Blind River and plans to make a second donation of $2,400 to a Sudbury facility in the coming days.
Led by founder and president Alicia Woods, Covergalls pivoted to manufacturing face masks last spring after the economy came to a standstill with the arrival of the novel coronavirus.
Some of her industrial clients include mining companies Vale, Impala, and Glencore; logistics provider Manitoulin Transport; and firms in the automotive, construction, tourism, and aviation sectors.
The idea to assist long-term care facilities was hatched through a brainstorming session with Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré.
Covergalls has now been recognized by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) through its Random Acts of Canadian campaign, which serves as “a celebration of the incredible acts of kindness, generosity and ingenuity of individuals across our country."
Along with a feature spot on RBC’s website, Woods has received a $500 donation toward her cause.
Woods said the donation brought tears to her eyes.
“This donation means a lot to me, the team at Covergalls, our MPP Marc Serré, our long-term care home residents, and our community,” Woods said in a statement.
Woods, a veteran of the mining service and supply industry, launched Covergalls in 2013 after growing frustrated with the ill-fitting men’s garments available on the market.
Features that make Covergalls unique include a rear opening and two-way zipper, secured pockets to house belongings, and snaps at the wrists for added fit.
They are worn by women working in mining, forestry, construction, automotive, and other industrial sectors.
