CLEVELAND — For the last month Airstream, located in Jackson Center, has ceased production of their iconic travel trailers due to the stay at home order in Ohio.
But for the last few weeks, seamstresses at the company traded in their typical job to help people on the front lines.
"The call went out for PPE and of course we have the equipment and skilled people that are used to sewing things," said Bob Wheeler, CEO for Airstream. "So, they jumped in immediately to start making a number of things."
Since they began, six women within the company have sewn almost 4,000 cloth masks and 55 protective gowns for local police, healthcare workers and heath departments.
Wheeler said Airstream is supplying the material for the masks, however the women putting the items together are doing the job on a volunteer basis. The CEO said their dedication to help others is honorable and a testament of their character.
"On the one hand I'm not surprised, because that's just the kind of people they are and the culture we have," Wheeler said. "But it just gives me a real sense of pride to know they're stepping into the breach and using their time selflessly to help provide some protection to these people that are fighting the battle on the front lines and are really at risk. We can't all be on the front lines but we can do what we can to help."
The women also sewed a mask for each of the Airstream employees. About 1,000 are waiting for them when they can return to work.
If you'd like to learn more about Airstream, click here.The company was featured on News 5's Buckeye Built series.
