10k Masks Frontline Support Fund - Boston, MA

As of 03/27/2020 @  5pm,  there are 3240 confirmed cases and 35 deaths from COVID-19 in Massachusetts. 

 Long story short, the COVID-19 health crisis has forced us all into a new reality and there are medical professionals, healthcare workers and first responders fighting in the trenches that need help in getting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to fight this pandemic.  Boston area hospitals and public service departments are running out of PPE supplies for their frontline healthcare workers and first responders as the amount of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts continues to rise. I have started this fundraising campaign to procure medical masks, and other PPE supplies for our local frontline heroes who need it most. 

STORY
My name is Kyle Harnish, owner of Dev Group Construction and Harnish Workwear. I am a local builder/developer by trade and for the last three years, have been working to launch a performance protective apparel company for people in the construction and trade industries. I have spoke with medical professionals and hospital administrators to identify that their greatest needs are N95 masks. Due to strong  professional relationships with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Factories that I have forged in the development of my workwear company, I am able to secure a large supply of 10,000  KN95 masks (asian and European equivalents to the US N95) from certified equipment manufacturers to be shipped to Boston, MA.  

100% of donations will go directly into the acquisition and delivery of KN95 masks  for frontline healthcare workers and first responders in Boston's busiest Emergency Rooms, Intensive Care Units and police and fire stations. We already have healthcare workers waiting for these masks at all the major hospitals in the Boston area. They have told us that their hospitals have either run out of masks or are asking them to reuse the ones they have, which creates major health risks. I have received letters from a local hospital CEO, a nurses union rep and a hospital administrator and admittedly, they are in dire straits with PPE supplies. Although, they aren’t willing to PAY for the masks directly right now, they are seeking masks and will gladly take any donations. 

OUR GOAL
 Our goal is to acquire, distribute, and deliver 10k+ masks to the frontline healthcare workers and first responders in Boston with the help of your donations!

If we surpass our goal, we will keep acquiring additional PPE for frontline healthcare workers until every last penny is spent.

THE SUPPLY 
I have a direct and proven relationship with a contact at a PPE factory in Asia that can deliver minimum order quantities of 10000 masks within 14 days. The cost per piece for these masks is approximately 1.50-2.00 per mask when shipping is factored in. The total capital I am looking to raise to cover this shipment of 10000 masks is $15k. I pledge to cover $1000 of this cost myself and handle all the logistics. I am asking any local businesses owners or any individuals to donate whatever they possibly can to this cause to help our heroes on the frontlines of this pandemic.

LOGISTICS
The logistics of procuring a shipment of medical supplies from Asia  to Boston MA will be our greatest challenge. We've figured out the entire supply chain from sourcing licensed medical masks from the factory, to export, import, customs, and last mile distribution. We have to ensure the goods are being safely packaged, transfered and transported from mainland China, through Hong Kong and onto the U.S. Once here in Boston, the shipment will need to be processed by Customs & Border Protection. Good news is, we have been in touch with Congressman Lynch’s office and his office has agreed to do what they can to assist in the processing of our shipment with customs. I anticipate our supplies to sit for 7 days at customs following approximately 7 days for the air travel. This 14- day grace period is needed for the supplies to be cleared of any contamination from the virus. 

THE RISK
Before you donate, please understand there is a risk in everything, especially in procuring medical supplies from a foreign country at this current time. This is a calculated risk that I am willing to take given my previous business relationship with this factory and that I would be sharing that risk collectively with all you that donate and support this cause. The way i see it, our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and first responders risk their lives for us everyday, I can risk some $ to get them some critical supplies they desperately need.


Anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated by myself and everyone of our medical heroes fighting to keep us all safe! 

How will the funds be used? 

100% of the funds will go directly to facilitating the purchase and delivery of masks and other urgent Personal Protective Equipment for frontline healthcare workers and first responders in Boston, MA. 

How much are you paying for the masks? 

We are getting manufacturer pricing on the mask. As pricing depends on order quantity, shipping rate (in this case, the faster the better to protect our healthcare workers), and competing demand, the number may change. However, we have spent our time comparing prices across multiple manufacturers to get the best possible price per unit while making sure that each manufacturer has the right certifications.

Are donations tax deductible? 

Currently, donations are not tax-deductible. If you know of a 501(c)3 charity in this space that would like to sponsor our effort, we would love to partner with them. Until then, we have realized that the need is so urgent that we must move forward and hope that you will donate. 

Live Blog of COVID-19 cases in MA

https://www.boston25news.com/news/coronavirus-live-blog-10-new-deaths-reported-mass-2417-confirmed-cases/4RMPIIF275A2ZLFQULB4A7MMSE/ 

Calls by local officials for PPE 

https://whdh.com/news/gov-baker-frustrated-as-call-for-ppe-strengthens-supply-dwindles/

https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/03/26/letter-to-massachusetts-doctors-appeal-for-help-fighting-coronavirus/

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/hospitals-crowdsource-protective-equipment/