The Emergent Group & Polar Shades Sun Control To Produce & Provide PPE

Information on the "Shades Down, Masks Up" fundraising campaign for PPE supplies for health care workers in Las Vegas:

The Emergent Group Partners with Polar Shades Sun Control to Produce and Provide PPE Masks and Gowns to Las Vegas Healthcare Facilities

“Shades Down, Masks Up” Fundraising Campaign Launched to Raise Funds and Supplies for PPE Immediate Needs

Local philanthropic consulting firm, The Emergent Group, has partnered with Polar Shades Sun Control to launch a fundraising campaign, “Shades Down, Masks Up,” to mass produce protective respiratory masks, mask filters, and gowns for health care facilities across Las Vegas. 

Local facilities receiving the supplies include Comprehensive Cancer Centers, University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, the Valley Health System, Dignity Health, UNLV School of Medicine, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Community Ambulance, Sahara West Urgent Care Drive-Thru, and Boulder City Hospital, as well as all local fire departments including the Henderson Fire Department, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, the Clark County Fire Department and the North Las Vegas Fire Department. Local healthcare facilities requesting PPE should email the City of Henderson at hunter.arboreen@cityofhenderson.com. 

Polar Shades, a Henderson-based producer of window shades and employer of more than 70 employees, recently transformed its plant to produce medical-grade masks and gowns to ensure that first responders and hospitals in Nevada have the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) necessary to safely treat Las Vegas’ influx of COVID-19 patients after hearing reports of shortages at area hospitals. The company is able to produce 2,000 masks and more than 10,000 gowns per day. The masks, made from anti-bacterial and anti-microbial material, can be sterilized and reused, requiring only a changing out of filters in between treating patients with the highly contagious virus.

“When we heard that our first responders needed supplies, Polar Shades knew we could help. As a family-owned business founded in Las Vegas, we are dedicated to giving back to the community that has allowed us to grow over the past 25 years,” states Jordan Mevius of Polar Shades. “Our family and dedicated employees want to help and have vowed to work tireless 16-hour shifts to produce these protective gowns and masks.”

While the City of Henderson has generously helped with funding supplies, Polar Shades is still in need of materials and funds to continue to aid in the critical growing demand of products. Thus far, Polar Shades has been resourcing its own materials used for window coverings, including 30,000 pounds of polypropylene material from Boston, and using their four 3D printers to print the reusable masks. 

In addition to funding, Polar Shades is looking for donations of the following supplies and materials:

• Additional Lulzbot Mini3D Printers on loan
• Polymaker Polylite PLA 3D printer cartridges
• Spunbond polypropylene
• 1 mil - 1.5 mil polyethylene plastic rolls either 12 foot wide or 6 foot wide and length as long as it comes
• 3/4” or 1” flat elastic for face shields
• 1/8” or 1/4” corded style or flat elastic for masks
• 3/16” or 1/4” aluminum nose clips

“Now more than ever, our community needs to come together to make a difference for all of the medical professionals on the front line serving as our warriors fighting this pandemic. We are committed to helping our community come together as one. No one is left behind. We are #VegasStronger and hope everyone participates in our “Shades Down, Masks Up” campaign.” says Travis Turner, partner at The Emergent Group.

The Emergent Group is generously kicking off the “Shades Down, Masks Up” campaign with a $5,000 donation for medical supplies and encourages other companies and individuals to aid in funding the raw materials needed to produce the protective equipment.  

Please click here to make a monetary donation to the “Shades Down, Masks Up” campaign. Those able to donate supplies should reach out to Jordan Mevius of Polar Shades at Jordan@polarshade.com. 

Polar Shades was founded in 1995 by Steve Mevius in the back of their garage in Las Vegas. Steve and his father, Art Mevius, fully opened the business together in 2002. 25 years later Polar Shades has met the demand of a worldwide leading manufacturing company providing shades to commercial, hospitality, healthcare and residential needs. Currently they have over 70 employees with a division in Arizona as well as a sister company, “All Seasons Retractable” in California. 

The Emergent Group, founded by Travis Tuner and Kady Casullo, is a locally based Boutique Philanthropy Consulting Firm specializing on Relationship Management and Corporate Social Responsibility.