Skiers and snowboarders have donated more than 10,000 pairs of goggles for use by health care workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
Goggles for Docs, an effort begun by Jon Schaefer, general manager at Berkshire East and Catamount Ski Areas in Massachusetts, has fulfilled nearly 90 percent of hospital requests in its first week, Vail Daily reported. The program’s website updates requests daily, including information about community drop-off sites.
“I think in our community we’re so used to getting the latest and greatest,” Kaia Moritz told the publication. “So they’re just sitting on a shelf collecting dust. This has been a great way to upcycle them in the best way possible.” Moritz and her family have delivered multiple shipments of goggles to hospitals in Oklahoma, Colorado and Puerto Rico, for a total of about 150 pairs.
“We have so many goggles in the valley and people who want to help that we can help support other states and other counties,” Allie Resnick, a senior at Vail Mountain School and a ski racer for Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, told the publication.
With sports and athletic activities almost entirely on hold amid social distancing measures due to the pandemic, some sporting goods manufacturers have redirected their efforts toward aiding in the production of personal protective equipment as well. Bauer Hockey, the manufacturer of hockey equipment and apparel for the NHL, will instead manufacture protective visors after the suspension of the NHL season.