Business owners in Niagara-on-the-Lake are selling reusable masks and donating all proceeds back into the community through United Way Niagara.

Co-founders of Locomotive Marketing Domenic and Patrizia Trapasso have coordinated reusable masks for sale at various locations in the region during the week of July 13 to 17.

The reusable masks are $10 each or two for $15 by credit card or cash (exact change only).  

Masks are available to purchase from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 15 at Simpsons Pharmasave on Niagara Stone Road and on July 15 at Locomotive Marketing (242 Mary Street, Suite 8). 

Once COVID-19 hit, the Trapasso’s began to think of how their business operations could benefit the community, Patrizia said during an interview Monday. 

“We always come from a standpoint of, you know, how can we serve, how can we help and what can we do to make our community sort of a better place,” she said.

The couple are long-time supporters of the United Way and other charitable organizations within the community, which had them brainstorming what they could do to give back to the community amidst the pandemic.

Because her business deals with various manufacturers, they were able to source masks and thought to make them accessible to the community, she added.

“We manufacture and distribute products to casino resorts across the country and into the U.S.,” she said.

Masks are a crucial part of staying safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Patrizia said.

“I think masks are something that’s really important, especially now, to keep ourselves and other safe when we’re out in public spaces.”

She said the masks are a bit different than a typical handmade mask, being made with silver ion technology.

“These are reusable, so they’re not your disposable ones — a little bit different than your everyday handmade masks that are made out of cotton … especially now in this weather, cotton is hot and not as breathable.”  

An important part of the mask sales was making sure the money was supporting the community, Patrizia said. 

“I just think it’s really important, now more than ever to support our communities and those in need,” she said. 

“We thought, you know what, aside from just covering the cost of the masks and shipping and that sort of thing, we want all of the proceeds after that to go back to United Way.”

They chose to send the proceeds to United Way, which supports different food banks, women shelters, families and after school kid’s programs, Patrizia said. 

Other mask sales for United Way are at the following locations:  

• July 14 – Boggio Pharmacy Ltd., 200 Catharine St., Port Colborne  
• July 16 – Brock University (Parking lot A), 1812 Sir Issac Brock Way, St. Catharines