This week, WRA began producing medical face shields in the Wang Innovation Center, an effort spearheaded by Matt Gerber, Chief Innovation Officer.

Along with a team of hard working volunteers and the use of the laser cutter and 3D printers, Gerber says they are able to produce 100 masks a day in The WIC.

"It's been a collaborative effort to make these shields," Gerber shared. The new effort adds to other community-focused initiatives under the leadership of Head of School Suzanne Buck, including the Reserve Your Meal program and a partnership with the City of Hudson to provide housing for first responders if necessary.

The hard work was completed thanks to Science Chair and Director of Community Outreach and Global Engagement Wanda Boesch, Jimena Oliva '22, Sergio Cordon, Modern & Classical Languages faculty Dr. Ralf Borrmann, Max Borrmann '16, Sophie Borrmann '20, Walker Larivee '20, Ryan Stifler '15, Mail Room & General Maintenance Technician Rob Pollard and Fine & Performing Arts faculty Nick Mudd who helped assemble and cut the masks -- all while safely social distancing.

On Wednesday, the first round of 100 shields were donated to the Cleveland Clinic Twinsburg campus. On Thursday, Fire/EMS Chief Jerry Varnes met Gerber in The WIC to pick up 70 shields for the Hudson Fire/EMS Department.

The remaining shields will be donated to the Summit County Public Health for distribution to first responders, EMT technicians and anyone else in need of the equipment.

If anyone in the WRA community or City of Hudson is in need of a medical face shield, please contact gerberm@wra.net.