With Governor Jared Polis urging all Coloradans to wear non-medical cloth face coverings for essential activities, such as grocery shopping, and recent guidance from the CDC – which recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain – the Florence Rotary Club has organized a community effort to provide citizens of Fremont County with free face coverings.

To support this effort, Holcim Portland Cement Plant, based in Florence, has donated $500 as well as two new sewing machines to the Florence Rotary Club.

Holcim Cement Plant Florence Colorado“The Florence Rotary Club is incredibly grateful for the support of community partners such as Holcim Portland Cement Plant and others,” said Kevin Mahmalji, President-Elect of Florence Rotary Club. “Due to their generosity and commitment to the citizens of Fremont County, we can continue to provide free cloth face coverings to those in our community and ultimately slow the spread of COVID-19.”

To date, the Florence Rotary Club has provided face coverings to the City of Florence, Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments, Two Sisters Restaurant and other essential employees.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person through close contact with an infected person who coughs or sneezes. To date, Colorado has identified more than 8,000 cases statewide, but due to limited availability of testing kits, many suspect the number is much higher.

Several other businesses across Fremont County including Tailored West in Cañon City and Loralies Antique Mall in Florence have donated materials to manufacture face coverings including 100% cotton fabric, thread and flat elastic bands.

Florence Rotary Club is a recognized affiliate of Rotary International that supports numerous projects that directly benefit the citizens of Florence and surrounding communities such as the Backpack Food Program, Dictionary Program, Funfest and more.

Florence Rotary Club is a community-based, grassroots, nonprofit organization. Donate today to support our efforts!