PPE Near Me: Local Sources for Your Protective Equipment

by Doria Maselli

Searching for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for yourself or your business? Whether it’s hand sanitizer, face masks or other products, many Thurston County businesses have found innovative ways to pivot and implement their resources to produce protective equipment and products for use during COVID-19. Keep yourself safe while also supporting Thurston County businesses with this directory of local businesses and the PPE they are offering.

Locally Produced Products

Sandstone Distillery

Shortly after closing their doors to the public and distilling alcohol in mid-March, Sandstone had started refining ethyl alcohol to make hand sanitizer. They have provided hand sanitizer to the Lacey Fire Department and other Thurston County police departments, as well as several long-term care facilities. The formula they are using has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), and it is composed of 93.6 percent ethyl alcohol, 4.7 percent hydrogen peroxide, and 1.7 percent glycerol. You can currently purchase a 1 gallon bottle of their hand sanitizer for $35.64, and they are offering delivery (to Thurston County) only on Tuesdays. Sandstone Distillery is located at 842 Wright Road SE in Tenino. Contact Sandstone at 360-264-1901 or visit sandstonedistillery.com

Heritage Distilling

With the help of in-store and online customer donations, Heritage Distilling Company has been able to donate over $10,000 worth of hand sanitizer to first-responders and organizations in need since March. Some of the organizations include Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, The Sophia Way, Valley Medical Center, Bonney Lake Senior Center, Children’s Home Society of Washington- Key Peninsula, USO, SHARE Seattle Housing and Resource Effort, Pt. Defiance ~ Ruston Senior Center, Tacoma Rescue Mission, Nativity House and Kitsap Rescue Mission among others. Their Countertop Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers and hand sanitizer and refills can be purchased on their website at heritagedistilling.com. Contact Heritage at 253-509-0008 or info@heritagedistilling.com.

Pieces to Peaces

Their Unisex Face Masks are made with Cotton Lycra inner and a Double Brushed Poly outer with a pocket for a filter. Each mask is super soft and comfortable and fashioned to adjust in the back with a tie! They also offer “Hero headbands,” headbands with a button on each side to loop to a surgical or medical mask. Pieces to Peaces masks and headbands can be purchased at the Olympia Farmers Market most Saturdays & Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Check vendor schedule ahead of time here) or shop at piecestopeaces.com.

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

Evergreen Valley just finished their batch of hand sanitizers made with the FDA formula and a touch of lavender.Available at the farm for purchase beginning June 25. Evergreen Valley is located at 9733 Evergreen Valley Rd SE Olympia, Washington 98513. Contact Evergreen Valley at 360-754-2002 or visit evergreenvalleylavender.com.

Secret Garden Quilts

Secret Garden Quilts is offering Facemasks for sale. Porch pickup from the studio and shipping available. The masks are comfortable, breathable and available in three sizes: Youth, Adult, and Large. Message or text for pickup times $12.50 each. 2 for $25. Secret Garden also recently returned to the Olympia Farmers Market and you can purchase masks there most Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Check vendor schedule ahead of time here) or get in touch with Secret Garden directly via Facebook at facebook.com/secretgardenolympia.

Radiance Herbs & Massage

Radiance has been stocking and selling masks made by a local single mom, who is a school teacher and has been out of work since being laid off due to COVID-19. Great cause and great masks! Locally handmade and hand sewn with love, the masks are comfortable and offer a wired nose for a custom fit. Contact Radiance at 360-357-5250 or visit radianceherbs.com.

Trnka

Trnka is creating beautiful reversible cotton masks with internal interfacing, adjustable soft ties and internal wire for custom fit shaping over the nose. They are made from upcycled pieces, vintage remnants of tightly woven cottons and soft linens. Options for local pick up from Calliope Farm on Overhulse Road or shipment via US mail are available. Contact Shari Trnka at sharitrnka.com or shop at sharitrnka.com/s/shop.

Community Collaborations

OlyMEGA

(Olympia’s Educational Nonprofit for Makers, Engineers, Geeks and Artists) is a makerspace for technical-creative projects, located in downtown Olympia, Washington. They are a non-profit organization where people can gather to create, invent and learn and have been utilizing their facilities to produce PPE for local Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, First Responders and Essential Workers. To learn more or join in the effort, visit olymega.org.

Lacey Makerspace

The Lacey MakerSpace, Arbutus Folk School and South Salish Mighty Masks have joined forces during the COVID-19 crisis to unite the maker community and make an impact. They joined together as a community of volunteers and donors making PPE for those who need it most in Thurston County and beyond, including:

Healthcare Workers who need 3D-printed face shields
First Responders who need face masks with filters
Frontline Organizations and Workers who need cloth masks

Want to help? Please contact volunteer@laceymakerspace.org if you want to join the groundswell of volunteers protecting our health care workers, first responders and vulnerable populations. You can keep track of developments on their Facebook page at facebook.com/LaceyMakerSpace.

Additionally, many businesses in Thurston County and beyond are distributing PPE and supplies to businesses. Some businesses offering promotional products as well as local print shops are able to provide custom masks and hand sanitizer bottles branded with a company logo.