Lana and Terry Ricker show off the face shields now available in Mr. Video at 3836 River Road N.
When COVID-19 hit home, people across all industries came together to help combat it; one of them was a legion of 3D printing businesses and hobbyists.
“The 3D printing community came together and made these designs for face shields free for public use,” said Kyle Kirsch, a Salem resident whose business normally runs on 3D printing.
“My normal business is using the 3D printer to create custom nightlights and other photo products with the customer’s photograph,” he said. He calls the endeavor LumenGraph.
Since the coronavirus came to Marion County, Kirsch has been donating face shields to first responders, medical workers and other essential workers. “I’ve made about 8,000 [face shields]… I think almost 6,000 of them are donations,” Kirsch said.
Though the majority of Kirsch’s orders and donations have been local, he has shipped nationwide from Hawaii to New York. Kirsch said even the orders that get shipped outside of the area are typically because of a local connection.
One of the connections is Mr. Video, located in Keizer Village on River Road North. Owner Terry Ricker has been buying face shields and ear savers from Kirsch to sell in his store.
“I don’t make a profit on the face shields, I buy them for $5 and I sell them for $5,” Ricker said. “I do make $.50 on the ear savers, but those are more of a luxury item.” He buys the ear savers for $1 and sells them for $1.50.
Kirsch offers shipping or pick up options for the face shields, but his home is out of the way for most Keizerites unless they are planning a trip to Silverton. Ricker decided to sell the face shields from his store as a more convenient location for Keizer residents.
“A little charity is good,” Ricker said. His store is also a host of a Marion Polk Food Share donation barrel.
Demand for the face shields has been high. In less than a week, Ricker sold nearly 50 face shields he bought from Kirsch. Though Kirsch is now selling the face shields and ear savers to the general public, he is still happy to donate to healthcare workers in need.
“I literally have not stopped printing since [I began advertising] and that was almost four months ago now. It’s been wild,” Kirsch said.
Face shields are an alternative for individuals who experience adverse symptoms while wearing a mask. The face shields being produced by Kirsch have been approved by the Nation Institute of Health and FDA and offer some protection from COVID-19, though the CDC still recommends a face mask.
Stop by Mr. Video or order a face shield or ear saver from Kirsch at lumengraphusa.com.
