United Way of Greater Newark to deliver masks to Newark Public Schools

NEWARK, NJ — United Way of Greater Newark President and CEO Catherine Wilson announced Feb. 17 that UWGN will deliver 221,000 masks to Newark Public School District’s Title I schools. This initiative is part of America’s Mask Challenge, a new partnership between United Way Worldwide, the Business Roundtable and the CDC Foundation to provide 200 million washable face masks to every student, teacher and staff member in America’s most under-resourced schools. These masks are provided by HanesBrands, which donated 25 million masks to the challenge. Hanes has followed CDC guidance to ensure that the masks meet appropriate safety standards.

“We know masks work and that they’re a crucial way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from the spread of the coronavirus,” Wilson said. “We are excited to participate in this challenge and to donate masks to Newark Public School District’s students, teachers and staff. While ensuring access to personal protective equipment is the first step in protecting our community members, we encourage everyone to wear a mask when they have one and to continue to social distance in order to stop the spread of this deadly virus.”

“We are pleased to be recipients of America’s Mask Challenge,” Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger Leon said. “This generous donation will help us keep our students and staff, and ultimately our families, safe as we continue to maintain some sense of normalcy during this pandemic.”

For more information, visit https://www.unitedway.org/the-latest/press/americamaskchallenge or contact MaskChallenge@unitedway.org.