South Bay showed up and showed out to this record breaker! The PPE-Up event turned out to be our largest event so far, serving just under 900 businesses/organizations and supporting over 12,000 workers. We distributed more supplies than we ever have before - two whole truckloads with over 1 million face masks and additional sanitizer and shields.
The event, held at the Del Amo Fashion Center, had lines stretching throughout the parking lots at the southend of the mall with close to 30 staff and volunteers contributing to the effort.
A Key Partner in the City of Torrance
This event was a collaborative effort between the City of Torrance, Torrance Chamber of Commerce and PPE Unite that focuses on engaging hyper-local communities and their small businesses in need. Private partners include Transform SHC, who were generous to donate their site at the mall for the event, and the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce including Lomita, Carson, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, San Pedro, who helped coordinate outreach to all local South Bay organizations.
“We are excited that PPE Unite is able to provide the many thousands of small businesses in Torrance and the greater South Bay with free personal protective equipment,” said Torrance Mayor Patrick J. Furey. “These businesses, that have been so adversely impacted by the pandemic, will be able to survive and maybe even thrive with this great gesture by PPE Unite.”
Thanks to the South Bay Chambers of Commerce
Thanks to Donna Duperron , President of the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, for leading the efforts with us to organize this massive undertaking. Special shoutout goes out to Wanda Love, CEO of the Gardena Chamber of Commerce, for organizing volunteers and providing lunch and much-needed supplies.
“PPE Unite is providing such a valuable resource to small business owners. The performance of small businesses is key to the economy. The distribution of free personal protective equipment by PPE Unite provides small businesses with supplies to reopen our local economy safely,” stated Donna Duperron, President & CEO, Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce.