We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of PPE over the past year from those in our community committed to stepping up to the ongoing challenge of fighting COVID-19. These donations of KN95 masks, gloves, face shields, gowns, and cloth masks have been crucial as we bring more and more students back to campus and keep students, employees, and our local community as safe as possible.

Top Left: Donations of masks and shields from Valley Forge Fabrics. Top Right: “Fresh Start” Distribution Event sponsored by Valley Forge Fabrics. Bottom Left: Cloth masks donation by American Textile and Apparel. Bottom Right: Gowns donated by Infinity Medical Supply.

In total, more than 1 million pieces of PPE and cloth masks have been donated to the College since the summer of 2020 with a total value of more than $500,000. Organizations including Valley Forge Fabrics, Infinity Medical Supply, V12 Health, and American Textile and Apparel have provided KN95 masks, face shields, nitrile gloves, disposable isolation gowns, and cloth face masks that are being utilized across all of the Broward College campuses.

These items are used in different capacities ranging from students working in hospitals, clinicals and labs, to studying in classrooms. PPE has also been donated through distribution events with local partners to help benefit the local community.

In October of 2020, Broward College teamed up with HANDY (Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantage Youth) to host a “Fresh Start” Distribution Event sponsored by Valley Forge Fabrics. During the event, 150 Broward County families arrived at a drive-through event at HANDY’s headquarters where they received a “Bed in Bag” kit with a sheet set, duvet cover, a blanket or pillow, and a KN95 mask.

Valley Forge Fabrics has been providing PPE support since July of 2020, with an initial supply of KN95 masks to the Broward College Foundation to be shared with Heritage Society donors and other supporters of the College. Since then they have continued this support through the “Fresh Start” event with Broward College and HANDY, and most recently with a donation of 8,000 masks and 5,600 face shields in April of 2021. Diana Dobin, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer of Valley Forge Fabrics shares that, “Valley Forge is privileged to partner again in 2021 with The Broward College Foundation.  We admire the Foundation’s focus on recognizing students and their families as individuals by identifying the needs within that community.  We appreciate the opportunity to work with them like a family – making an impact on health and comfort together.”

Valley Forge Fabrics, Inc. is a 43-year-old family-owned and operated company. It is the world’s largest supplier of custom-made and running line performance products for the hospitality industry. Vanesa Patiño, Chief Operating Officer said that, “Valley Forge Fabrics choose Broward College for this PPE donation because they see the passion and commitment  I have when doing my volunteer work as Board Member for the Broward College Foundation and they feel proud to have their COO be able to make a difference in the community because that is exactly part of our core values as a company. I’m grateful to be supported by a company like Valley Forge Fabrics with a mission to impact the life of others in positive way. The Dobin family are generous members of our community historically and in times of need – like the one we are now – having people like them around is a gift of the universe.”

Thank you to Valley Forge Fabrics, Infinity Medical Supply, V12 Health, American Textile and Apparel, and other supporters of Broward College with your gifts of PPE and cloth masks, and for the tremendous impact you’ve made on keeping our community safe.