company directories: P.E.S.T. Relief International marks milestone with mask donations

Friday, April 16, 2021

P.E.S.T. Relief International marks milestone with mask donations

PHOTO: P.E.S.T. RELIEF INTERNATIONAL

A year ago, the non-profit charity Professionals Empowering, Sustaining & Transforming (P.E.S.T.) Relief International launched in the “Masks for Relief” program.

P.E.S.T. Relief International Founder Andrea Hancock recognized the global need for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and implemented the initiative.

The organization reached out to the pest management industry to contribute to the massive need for masks. With the help and partnership of Mattress Safe and local home seamsters, the non-profit developed a design, created prototypes, and produced a face-covering that is soft, breathable and reusable.

PHOTO: P.E.S.T. RELIEF INTERNATIONAL

Supplying masks to pest control companies, such as Arrow Exterminators, allowed pest management professionals (PMPs) to continue their essential work in U.S. homes and businesses. P.E.S.T. Relief International also supplied masks to Brian Metzger of the Gopherwood Community Foundation in Kansas, and to Eve Pappas, founder of the Tri-state Canine Response Team, who distributed masks to local elderly care facilities in the New Jersey area. This set in motion a Give-One-Get-One program with colorful mask options. Through this initiative, hundreds of masks were donated to local hospitals, women’s shelters and individuals in need across the Southeast.

As the need for masks continues, P.E.S.T. Relief International partnered with Soft Surroundings, a nationwide women’s boutique. The designer masks with vintage materials are currently on display as a part of the boutique’s spring collection. With the funds generated from this partnership opportunity, the non-profit plans to expand its P.E.S.T. Relief Responder program and partner with more PMPs to help eradicate pest issues and bring comfort and rest to those who are orphaned, abused, or in need in communities across the nation and around the world.

To become involved in the “Masks for Relief” program, you may either donate any style mask to P.E.S.T. Relief International, or make a financial donation.

P.E.S.T. Relief International has been making a difference since its beginnings in 2013. Among its most recent projects are donating bed bug service to a local family in need in Atlanta, Ga.; providing clean bedding and more to a youth shelter in Denver, Colo.; helping residents of a Salvation Army shelter in Atlanta; and co-piloting a REST program in Florida, to name just a few.

Read more COVID-19 coverage here: MyPMP.net/COVID-19