Grand Canyon University is contributing to coronavirus relief efforts in its community in a multitude of ways.
- GCU is currently producing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and respirators, for both its campus and community partners.
- It is providing housing in GCU Hotel for first responders who are serving on the front lines in the fight against this pandemic.
- And it is in discussions with the Phoenix Veterans Administration Medical Center to use the Canyon Activity Center as an overflow area for non-COVID patients.
“These are unprecedented times that are creating hardships for many in our community,” said GCU President Brian Mueller. “We feel blessed to be able to demonstrate our Christian spirit and provide these resources to alleviate some of those concerns.”
Personal protective equipment
GCU will utilize its 3D printers and its merchandise company, Canyon Promotions, to produce cotton face masks, plastic face shields and respirators. The personal protective equipment will be used initially to fill the needs on GCU’s campus of health-care workers, Public Safety officers, food service employees and students. The University then will offer the PPE, at cost, to its partners in the health-care industry and City of Phoenix to address the Valley-wide shortage of that equipment.
“Our employees feel blessed that they work for an organization that is still fully employing people and that has the capabilities to allow them to work from home, and they have been asking for ways in which they can pay it forward and serve the community,” Mueller said. “To help offset the costs of the PPE, Grand Canyon University and Grand Canyon Education are each matching any donations made by our employees, and we’re looking for corporate partners who are willing to match that as well.”
GCU can immediately begin producing more than 1,000 face masks per week and roughly 700 shields or respirators per week. The University also is purchasing 10 additional 3D printers to further ramp up production.
Check out their full interview with 102.5 KNIX's Tim, Ben & Brooke:
Find out more about GCU's community involvement and how to enroll here