Kansas City, Missouri-based Hallmark Cards, Inc., has manufactured and donated 10,000 face shields to the state of Missouri for distribution to healthcare organizations and schools.

“When we saw all the heroes who are working to care for others during this pandemic, we knew we wanted to help in some way,” said Smith Holland, president, Hallmark Global. “Hallmark has two manufacturing plants in the greater Kansas City area that make greeting cards and wrapping paper every day, so it was a no-brainer for us to step up and make face shields.”

The Lawrence Production Facility in Lawrence, Kan., made the face shields. A team of four project engineers led the effort to make the face shields using machines that typically produce stickers, labels and other items used in greeting card displays. The plant also was able to use some existing materials to create the face shields, such as the plastic used for lids on boxed cards. The engineering team consulted with medical professionals, manufacturing experts and others to develop and fine-tune the final product.

“We are grateful for this donation, which will benefit so many Missourians who serve so selflessly on the front lines in our schools and within our healthcare system,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “Seeing a company find ways that are outside their normal line of services to help people is really remarkable.”

Earlier this year, Hallmark Cards, Inc., donated nearly six million greeting cards to people around the world to help them express their gratitude and love for others in the midst of the pandemic.

For more information, visit https://corporate.hallmark.com/hallmark-news/newsroom/.