The Bayfield Colorado Area Chamber of Commerce distributed hard-to-find sanitation supplies to businesses Saturday at Bayfield Town Hall.
Pine River Valley businesses of all types dropped by to pick up face masks, cleaners and other materials that businesses use to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The chamber received some support from Home Depot and the town of Bayfield for the event.
“It’s just awesome that the chamber did that because, as you know, where do you go buy disinfectant spray and hand sanitizer?” said James Riddens, Bayfield Glass owner.
Riddens and business owners from Bayfield and Vallecito picked up masks, refillable hand-sanitizer bottles with extra solution, cleaners and other materials. Riddens, who needs the materials to disinfect customer vehicles before and after repairs, said the materials have not been easy to find.
“I thought it was really cool that the town was helping with small businesses,” he said.
The chamber used the funds from the town of Bayfield to purchase sanitation supplies for businesses, said Ashleigh Tarkington, a member of the chamber. The town of Bayfield awarded the chamber $1,000 as part of its annual nonprofit community funding process in 2019. The chamber intended to use the award to cover costs for the summer block party series, but the parties, which normally draw large crowds, were canceled because of viral transmission concerns.
Home Depot also contributed enough supplies to triple the chamber’s stock, she said.
Tarkington said the chamber gave away most of its supplies, but it would consider doing another giveaway in the future if needed.
smullane@durangoherald.com
