Chester County Voter Services Director Sandra Burke (center) with Voter Services staff member Laura Bradley (left) accepts a delivery of 1,000 protective face shields donated by Nielsen-Kellerman CEO Alix James.
Thanks to two separate donations of face shields, Chester County voters and poll workers will have even greater protection from the threat of the spread of coronavirus on primary election day, June 2nd.
The offer of 1,000 face shields made by Boothwyn-based company Nielsen-Kellerman (NK) came from NK CEO Alix James. A company that usually manufactures and distributes rugged, weatherproof environmental and sports performance instruments, NK leadership and staff decided to temporarily add protective face shields to its product line, specifically to donate to organizations needing them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“All NK products are designed and built in our businesses around the US, and here in our Boothwyn location we decided to begin making the face shields for the region’s front line workers,” said Alix James. “On June 2nd, many people in Chester County will be stepping up to run polling places for the primary election, which really makes them front-line workers for the day. The team at NK are pleased to be able to donate these face shields to protect them – and in turn protect Chester County voters who go to the polls that day.”
In addition to the 1,000 face shields donated by NK, Chester County will receive a further 500 face shields made by Chester County high school students who are part of the “Out of the Box Robotics” club located in Coatesville. Out of the Box Robotics’ members used their design and 3-D printing capabilities to make thousands of face shields for first responders and healthcare workers who are providing crucial services in the fight against COVID-19 in Chester County. On June 2, 500 of the group’s face shields will be used in voting precincts throughout the county.
Despite the threat of the coronavirus, a majority of Chester County’s established polling places are opening for the June 2nd primary. The County’s Voter Services staff are providing the maximum level of personal protection equipment for every precinct, including masks, gloves and sanitation kits for poll workers, plexiglass shields – and now, face shields.
Sandra Burke, Director of the Chester County Department of Voter Services, said, “This year, with COVID-19, voting is considered an essential activity, and poll workers and polling locations for each precinct are undertaking an essential service. We thank the staff of Nielsen-Kellerman and the students from Out of the Box Robotics for their generous donations, providing an extra level of personal protection for all poll workers.”
A full list of Chester County’s polling place locations for the June 2nd primary election is available at the Chester County Voter Services webpage, www.chescoorg/voter-services.
