A few weeks ago, Lowe’s sent out an email to associates from the Tech Hub looking for volunteers to participate in a community service project.
The objective? Use 3D printers to create face shields for local healthcare workers and first responders who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joe Webb, a senior product manager, was delighted to be selected.
“I immediately responded,” Webb said. “It’s something my family was looking for."
Fifty Dremel 3D printers were purchased by Lowe’s and deployed to tech hub associate homes to create the piece of the face shield that secures the clear visor. Roughly 400-450 can be printed daily. Lowe’s also provided seven Dremel 3D printers to local non-profits to aid this effort.
Thanks to a partnership with local nonprofits such as Digi-Bridge, She Built This City, Central Carolinas Urban League and the CharMeck Library, close to 3,000 fully assembled face shields have already been donated.
Randy Alexander, director of the Lowe’s technology center, said the project took shape with three main tenants:
1) Provide much-needed PPE locally
2) Involve and educate kids
3) Build community among temporarily separated associates
“Our associates are proud to work for an organization that has committed hundreds of millions of dollars,” Alexander said. “But there was still this thought of, ‘What about me? What can I do personally to help out?’”
It’s a family project and one that hits close to home for Webb, who has four kids and whose wife used to work as an emergency room nurse.
“This is really unique. We are a family that is driven by service, and usually that service involves going out and meeting people and spending time with them,” Webb said. “With social distancing, it’s a different ballgame.”
This became a way to serve the community from home.
Patrick Carmody – Lowe’s senior manager, product development – was eager to seize this learning opportunity and involve his children.
“My kids got really into it from the moment the printer and all the accessories were delivered,” Carmody said. “My fifth-grade twin boys, they are right on top of it. They argue a little bit, ‘No, it’s my turn. No, it’s my turn!’ It’s been a really cool project for them.”
And the competitive boys are taking great pride in making a difference.
“It makes me feel good,” said 10-year-old Curran Carmody. “There is such a shortage on materials that we need for COVID-19 right now, and by doing this, we are helping a lot.”
The young volunteers have been a huge help, and their parents appreciate the educational, and rewarding, benefits of the project.
“My kids have been excited to press the buttons and watch it,” Webb said. “It’s an opportunity for them to help out with the pandemic and also a chance for them to think about engineering and math. How does it actually work?”
The printers will remain in associates’ homes for the next few months, and in August they will be donated to schools and local nonprofits that have a focus on STEM education. As you can see below, NFL legend Steve Smith recently picked up some of the finished face shields for his foundation's wellness center.
