Supplier Baden Sports (PPAI 133132, S8), located in Renton, Washington, has donated 15,000 protective face masks to help combat the spread of the coronavirus in Washington State.

The face masks will be given to local health-care workers serving on the frontlines of the pandemic at hospitals and long-term care facilities in King County, where the outbreak has been particularly severe. Family-owned Baden has operated in South King County for more than 40 years. The company designs and manufactures athletic balls, bats and backyard games, but with social distancing replacing sports of all kind this spring, Baden began looking for other ways to support its community.

“Our purpose as a company is to create products and experiences that build healthy individuals and communities through sports,” says Baden Sports CEO Jake Licht. “But with sports on pause for now, we were eager to find another way to continue living our mission and supporting our community. This donation allows us to do that while also showing our gratitude to the men and women who are working so hard to keep our friends, families and neighbors healthy.”

Baden leveraged its global supply chain to procure the face masks, which will be delivered to Highline Medical Center in Burien and Valley Medical Center in Renton, among other facilities nominated by its employees. Licht said the donation is a start and that Baden will look at additional ways to contribute during the coming weeks based on need.

“We’re deeply grateful for our health-care providers,” Licht adds, “and we feel privileged to be in a position to help.”