Saskatoon company fundraising to give teachers free masks

A Saskatoon company that has been supplying masks to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic says it wants to give back to some of its best customers.

Benchmark PPE has launched a fundraiser for teachers who plan to continue wearing masks in the classroom after Saskatchewan’s mask mandate ends next Monday.

The mask manufacturer will match every dollar raised with the goal of providing one million free masks to teachers across Western Canada.

“The masks that we want to provide are the 95 per cent filtration masks,” said Benchmark PPE owner Justin Stuart.

“We want to give them the masks that are the proper masks — not three-ply masks but actually N-95 level masks, the tight-fitting and highest filtration that are also still comfortable but are better quality.”

The fundraiser will remain open until the end of the month with every $10 donated able to buy 10 filtration masks.

Stuart says it’s important teachers feel safe in the classroom without worrying about having to pay for that security.

“We just don’t think teachers should have to pay for the PPE they need in the workplace, which is the schools,” Stuart said.

“If students aren’t wearing masks, that just raises, in (the teachers’) opinion, their risk because it’s more people coming into their space constantly that may or not be protected.”

Stuart said the free masks will be sent to the school districts who request them directly for internal distribution to teachers on a first-come, first-served basis.

Teachers can also request one though Benchmark’s website.

The fundraiser, which was launched on Feb. 15, is off to a slow start with less than $1,000 raised as of Wednesday morning.