PHOENIX — "Just finding people that really need them and sending them our way would be very helpful,” sad Ryley Youngs, an 11th grader from Surprise. She didn't know how to get her 3D-printed ear saver hooks into the hands of people that really needed them. Until an ABC15 viewer saw her story.
"My wife sent me the story of Ryley on ABC15's website. You know it really hit me that people want to help but don't have the network to get this stuff into the right hands,” said Surprise resident John Bukowski.
He's part of a group, AZ Face Shield, making and donating face shields to medical professionals and first responders. Bukowski said, "We took the extra effort so that nurses and firefighters can reach out to us directly. We can put them right into their hands."
People who need the shields can easily request up to 50 online. So far, AZ Face Shield has donated 1,200 shields to nurses, doctors, firefighters and more in Arizona. They're working tirelessly to make thousands more. Motivated, Bukowski said, by anyone risking their lives for the safety of others including people he knows personally, "I couldn't imagine her going to work without what she needs to feel safe and I don't want anyone to have to go to work like that."
Bukowski encourages anyone in need of shields or with PPE to donate to contact AZ Face Shield at azfaceshield.com.
