Nonprofit to Increase Production of Gowns, Masks

(stock image courtesy: Pixabay/Muhammed Hassan)

A Merrillville-based nonprofit agency that provides services for children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities is responding to the call for more personal protective gear for healthcare workers.

Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report TradeWinds Services Inc. is ramping up production of disposable masks and gowns.

As part of its vocational training for its clients, TradeWinds teaches transferable job skills such as cutting and sewing material that can be turned into polypropylene coveralls, gowns, and booties.

TradeWinds Director of Industries Lynn Strohl told the publication he took time last week to see how the company could help in the production of disposable masks and gowns.

The biggest challenge Strohl said he thought he might face was making sure the materials TradeWinds uses meet industry standards used in hospitals and among first responders.

“The need seems humongous,” said TradeWinds Chief Executive Officer Jon Gold. “It’s a tough time for everybody. We’re trying to do our part to keep our agency going and to help the community at the same time.”

The TradeWinds team is now setting a 30,000 to 50,000 item-per-month goal in the production of gowns and masks for use by hospitals, fire departments and police stations in Lake and Porter counties.