YORBA LINDA, Calif.—The Richard Nixon Foundation on Sept. 1 began distributing more than 700,000 protective face masks to citizens and businesses throughout Orange County, California, after a fan of the former president donated 1 million masks to the organization.
The masks were donated by Long Deng, president of the New York-based supermarket chain iFresh Inc., who has a great appreciation for the former president, according to Foundation Executive Vice President Jim Byron.
“We are thrilled that 700,000 masks are being distributed over the next few days to over 30 chambers of commerce throughout Orange County,” Byron told The Epoch Times.
The masks will also be distributed to county fire chiefs and the Board of Education, Byron said.
“By distributing these, the Foundation sees an opportunity to get us through the coronavirus at a faster pace, and we are grateful to help the needs of the community,” he said.
The three-ply disposable masks, packed in boxes containing 2,000 units each, were available for drive-thru pickup in the Nixon Library parking area. Foundation staff members loaded the boxes onto trucks and SUVs as local leaders and humanitarian aid workers, including the Red Cross, arrived to pick up their share.
“The Red Cross will be receiving 120,000 masks today for their work and distribution needs across hospitals in Orange County,” Foundation Vice President of Marketing Joe Lopez told The Epoch Times.
“The mask donations will help first responders, along with local businesses, to alleviate financial burdens as they continue to move forward during this time.”
Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce CEO Susan Won-Ross arrived at the Nixon Library just before noon to pick up several boxes earmarked for distribution across her city.
“A portion of these will be going to local restaurants and employees around town,” Won-Ross told The Epoch Times. “First responders will also be getting masks, which we are excited about.”
Public, charter, and private schools will receive more than 20,000 masks, which will be distributed via the Orange County Department of Education. County Superintendent of Schools Al Mijares called the library “a historical treasure,” in a statement thanking the organization.
The Foundation will keep 300,000 of the masks. They will be made available for future visitors to the museum, and for special events in compliance with Orange County Health Care Agency protective measures.
The Richard Nixon Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization established in 1983 to oversee the former president’s records and archives. The Foundation is based at the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, which is located on land formerly owned by the president’s family and run in conjunction with the National Archives and Records Administration.
Despite being closed to the public for more than six months, the Foundation has continued to affect the lives of Orange County residents through charitable causes. The organization has hosted 16 blood drives since March, and partnered with Saddleback Church of Yorba Linda to host food drives in the museum parking area that have supplied over 1,000 needy families.
“We are privileged to continue helping. Seeing these masks be distributed to the community is exciting for our Foundation,” Byron said.
