Willie Wilson To Donate 100K Masks To Aurora Residents

AURORA, IL — Chicago businessman Willie Wilson is set to distribute thousands of face masks to residents Saturday morning in downtown Aurora. Wilson is scheduled to join Mayor Richard Irvin from 10 a.m. to noon at the Aurora Transportation Center as part of his effort to donate 100,000 masks to the city. Volunteers will hand out packaged masks on a first-come, first-served basis, according to a news release.

Wilson has handed out millions of masks throughout Chicago in recent weeks. Over the weekend, he held three distribution events where he aimed to donate 5 million masks. Wilson and his organization are now expanding their efforts to the state’s second-largest city.

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“I am proud to donate these face masks to help save lives and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Wilson said in a news release. “I am moved by compassion and a deep sense of responsibility to make this donation to my dear friend, Mayor Richard Irvin, and the people of Aurora.”

Wilson has also pledged to donate large quantities of masks to Aurora nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and senior residential locations, the release states.

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“We are absolutely grateful to Dr. Wilson for his generous donation to Aurora,” Irvin said. “We know how important it is for everyone to wear masks and face coverings as we fight COVID-19 in our communities. We also know supplies are low while the demand is high. Dr. Wilson has helped to make sure those who need masks in Aurora can receive them.”

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Irvin urged residents to take advantage of Wilson’s donation “to help protect yourself, your family and our community.”

Volunteers at Saturday’s distribution event in Aurora will not be asking for identification, the release states. Aurora police and the city’s Emergency Management Agency will help to direct traffic.