Nonprofit 3D Printing Face Shields To Protect Front Line Workers

PALOS VERDES, CA — The effort to protect health care workers and first responders fighting the pandemic isn't over yet. And in Palos Verdes, there's a growing movement to act fast with 3D printing technology.

Palos Verdes nonprofit PVNet is using its 3D printer to create face shields and has donated more than 2,100 shields to area hospitals and law enforcement.

The group continues to raise money to make more. So far, they have raised $15,800.

The following have received the donations so far, volunteer Sue Kidman told Patch.

• Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department physicians
• Long Beach Fire Department
• Palos Verdes Estates Police Department
• Torrance Police Department
• Lomita Police Department
• Hermosa Beach Police Department
• Culver City Police Department
• Inglewood Police Department
• Torrance Memorial Medical Center
• Providence Little Company of Mary
• West LA Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• Palos Verdes Medical Group
• Harbor UCLA
• County of Los Angeles paramedics
• Pomona Police Department

The nonprofit has also donated to other organizations, including medical clinics, COVID-19 testing clinics, pharmacies and nursing homes, Kidman said.

Kidman started working with PVNet years ago when her children started getting involved in the organization.

"Ted is the driving force, the director," Kidman told Patch. "My kids, my daughter is an active volunteer right now. I’ve helped them for many years."

PVNet originally started off by helping seniors access technology, Ted Vegvari told Patch. With the urgent demand for personal protective equipment, the group has shifted to creating face shields.

"The face shield is my personal, top priority," Vegvari told Patch.

Vegvari wanted to take action and help protect people who put their safety on the line.

"I don’t know why everyone should sit around and wait to be served without doing," Vegvari said.

"We are very very committed to making face shields," Vegvari told Patch. "We have incredible volunteers who are here doing prep, prepping materials, disinfecting and packing them. It’s a really great team."

To learn more about PVNet's efforts and to get involved, visit the group's GoFundMe.

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