As our economy begins to reopen Canada’s top medical professionals are recommending that all of us who can, wear non-medical masks to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Designed in Prince George and hand-sewn in Burnaby, the Exploration Place is selling custom, top quality masks as a fundraiser to support the care of its Animal Ambassadors and the ongoing need for maintenance of its collection and archives.
“These masks are great,” said Tracy Calogheros, CEO, in a news release. “I’ve been wearing my initial sample mask for weeks and it is holding up well. I wash it every night with dish soap and hang it to dry.”
Made by Tailgate Sports with a double layer of fabric and straps that extend around the entire head rather than behind the ears, these masks can be machine washed and dried and are available in three sizes and three designs.
“We have one that features Karma, our Chameleon, one with Tom our Herman’s Tortoise with his raspberry, illustrated by our own Lacey Crombie, and one featuring everyone’s favourite resident Mr. PG, over an historic map of the area,” said Calogheros.
The small masks will work well for kids with medium and large for adults.
For a donation of $25 to the museum you will receive the mask and size of your choice. Simply email the museum at info@theexplorationplace.com with your preferred designs and sizes and they will contact you to make arrangements for payment and pick up.
“This has been an unprecedented time for your museum,” Calogheros. “As we reimagine what our facility will look like we are ensuring that our collection and our Animal Ambassadors are well cared for. With no earned revenues, the expense of a pivot to on-line programming and a Class A building to maintain, the math is going to catch up with us sooner rather than later. Buying a mask will help to protect your neighbours and family and it will help us to redevelop our galleries and exhibits into an exciting experience for our community that is also safe and engaging for the future.”
There are only a limited number of masks available so don’t delay. They will be responding to people on a first come first served basis. There are no discounts available on these masks. The goal is to start pick ups on Thursday this week.
“I’d like to thank Tim Clough, the owner of Tailgate Sports for his vision in shifting so quickly from hockey jerseys to non-medical masks and for his help in making this fundraiser possible for the museum,” said Tracy Calogheros. “We live in a special place here in the North and these last weeks have simply reinforced that.”
The museum remains closed due to the pandemic, but you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on their new You Tube Channel as well.