Mike McCue saw an opportunity to help Polk County nonprofit organizations deal with the day-to-day impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His decision to do so has been a welcomed addition for Polk County Schools.
When the pandemic reached the United States and began to spread earlir this year, McCue’s two companies based in Columbus – Condar and Kangaroo Golf – began producing high-quality masks with a special design. That design includes an embedded wire clip for the nose, which is especially useful for those who wear glasses, and adjustable side elastics to fit over the ear.
McCue then decided to share the masks, designed by Polk County High School graduate Tiffany Blackburn, with the portions of Polk County who perhaps needed them the most.
“They’ve all been donated to non-profits and area individuals with special needs,” McCue said. “None are sold. This is a community service.”
Perhaps no local group has been more grateful for that community outreach than Polk County Schools, which has distributed the masks from Condar/Kangaroo to staff members and students.
“We are so fortunate to live in a community where businesses like Condar and Kangaroo Golf are willing to give back,” said Superintendent Aaron Greene. “In this uncertain time, it’s reassuring to know there is ongoing support for our educators and students.
“On behalf of Polk County Schools I would like to offer our sincere thanks to Mike McCue and all the wonderful folks at Condar and Kangaroo Golf who worked to make and provide face coverings.”
McCue said shifting to mask production proved a fairly easy transition for Condar/Kangaroo staff, who jumped at the chance to help fellow residents.
“We have special Japanese industrial-grade sewing machines for our cut and sew operation at Condar Company, which makes high-quality TUFFDUCK bags for Condar and small fabric products to accessorize Kangaroo motorcaddies,” McCue said.
“Maria Valdez does the sewing and Bill Hague does the fabric cutting for us here. Their supervisor, our plant manager Carolyn Greene of Mill Spring, selected and provided the colorful fabrics at her own cost.”
McCue said that any local nonprofit organization interested in requesting masks can do so by emailing karen@KangarooGolf.com.
