Top 5 PPE Picks for Students and Classrooms

With the Delta Covid variant circulating throughout the U.S. and schools preparing for the return of students, the need for PPE for students is still strong. With teachers busy getting classrooms ready and lesson plans set, it’s the perfect time to organize a much needed (and much welcomed) donation to your local schools in need.

While school supplies like notebooks, folders, and backpacks are always welcomed, this year consider donating PPE that will be required in schools across the country. Many teachers end up supplying their own classrooms with these items as school budgets continue to be tightened. DollarDays has all the essentials to keep students, teachers, and staff safe all year long. Here are our top five PPE picks for students and classrooms.

1. Fabric Fashion Masks

Kids might be somewhat reluctant to put masks on all day after a summer break. But these fabric masks are so cute and fashionable, they’ll love showing them off to their friends. The animal designs and colors will appeal to all kids and make mask wearing a breeze. These spandex and polyester masks are comfortable and will help keep germs at bay.

2. Hand Sanitizer with Silicone Holder

These personal-sized hand sanitizers come in a variety of designs from pineapples to adorable animals. They are perfect for little ones who may tend to misplace things. They easily attach to backpacks or lunch bags so you know your student will never be without a means to clean hands from germs. Because they’re available in bulk, you be able to keep all the kiddos in the classroom germ-free all year long.

3. Hand Sanitizer Wipes

These hand sanitizer packs are from one of our favorite brands, Yoobi. Not only does Yoobi make quality, trendy products kids love, they also are committed to doing good. For every Yoobi item you purchase, a Yoobi item will be donated to a child in need in the U.S. With 24 hand sanitizer sachets per pack, you can easily supply an entire classroom. At wholesale prices, you can supply an entire school with this PPE essential.

4. Decorated Disposable Mask

Disposable masks have a reputation for being boring or generic. Not these! Kids will definitely forget their cloth masks on occasion or will need a replacement. Having these decorated disposable masks on hand will ensure that all kids are safe and ready to learn. They’ll love choosing from the six fun designs. Because they’re sized for kids, they’ll stay in place so teachers can focus on their lessons.

5. Kids Face Shield

Of course, not all kids love wearing masks. These face shields are the perfect alternative. They are also great for any immuno-compromised student needing extra protection.

Along with a face mask, a face shield will provide an additional barrier against airborne germs. They fit snuggly at the forehead while keeping noses and mouths protected. The happy animal designs and bright colors will make them fun to wear.

We love providing schools with everything they’ll need to make sure each child receives the best education possible. By offering wholesale items at unbeatable prices, we are committed to being a positive force in your community. With your help, we can make this year a success by arming students and teachers with these essential PPE products.

Read another blog HERE.


CDC Updates Their Mask Guidelines

Since the holidays, the United States is seeing extremely high levels of infections and hospitalizations due to Coronavirus. Even though vaccinations are starting to happen across the United States, people are being asked to continue to wear masks even after receiving the vaccination. This is due in part to recent reports that immediately following vaccinations, people may still contract the virus.

The other recent change came last week as the Biden Administration took office. Immediately following, Biden signed an executive order requiring masks in all Federal and Federal agency buildings. This order underscores the importance of wearing a mask to protect our frontline and Federal workers. We know wearing a mask is important to curb the spread of the pandemic, but now we are learning that the type of mask you wear is just as important.

Recently, the CDC published new guidelines around mask-wearing to help prevent the Coronavirus. Though many people have settled into using simple cloth masks, the new guidelines say that people should have at least two layers of mask protection. Some cloth masks do offer a higher level of protection, but if you aren’t sure, then layering two masks together is what is recommended.

Currently, the most effective masks available are N95 and KN95 masks. These are the same masks that are used in medical institutions because of the high level of filtration they provide. DollarDays currently has wholesale KN95 masks in stock and ready to ship.
Another way to achieve two layers of protection is to pair up a disposable surgical mask with a cloth mask. We also currently have wholesale surgical masks in stock as well as a large selection of reusable cloth masks.

As people continue to get vaccinated, we will still need to continue to wear masks and social distance. So, stock up now for your business or organization and help keep our communities safe.

Disaster Preparedness In the Age of COVID-19

Even before COVID-19, this time of year was concerning for many due to the number of natural disasters that happen around this time. Whether it be hurricane season in the gulf or wild fires in the west, preparing and recovering from disasters requires help in many forms. Earlier this month the east coast was hit by Hurricane Isaias and California started experiencing wild fires again. It became a brutal reminder that you can’t approach disasters the same way we did before the Coronavirus.

To be able to help people recover from these catastrophic events requires an extra level of preparedness and hygiene. While we have always been here to provide Disaster Recovery products, we now can also provide an entire line of Personal Protective Equipment.

Unfortunately, many hoped that Covid-19 would be a short lived pandemic. But, most indicators show that we will be dealing with this for some time to come. As we move into another dangerous season of natural disasters, please keep in mind the importance of keeping yourself protected while you work hard to help those recover.

Below is a list of some of the most needed items during this time of year. Between preparing and recovering, now is the time to stock up on these important items that continue to be hard to find at your standard big box stores.

Beneficial Items Include:

How you can help:

Contact your local nonprofit: Find out what initiatives local nonprofits are taking to help those affected, and donate the products they need most.

Contact your church: Often times, churches will work with other branches or sister churches during these times to collect and ship them the products they need.

Top 5 Coronavirus Relief Organizations

There are two sides to the relief effort for COVID-19: a vaccine and the day-to-day care and prevention. As research labs and government agencies across the world work to develop a viable vaccine, many nonprofit organizations have been pouring their resources into supporting individuals and local relief groups. Here is a list of some of the top nonprofit organizations doing their part to help those affected by this disease:

1. Good360

Good360 is an international charitable organization that specializes in product philanthropy by sourcing needed goods from reputable brands across the world and offering them to their nonprofit partners. So far, they have provided “more than $135 million in donated goods in response to the COVID-19 pandemic”. They currently have over 90,000 partners in their nonprofit network so their impact is far-reaching.
Learn more and donate here.

2. United Way Worldwide

Founded in 1887, the United Way is a global nonprofit organization that has worked for decades to improve the livelihood of local communities. Their primary focus is to strengthen the “education, financial stability and health” of those they serve.
You can donate today to the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund and learn more about how the United Way is stepping up to support many of the local services that are currently overwhelmed by the virus.

3. Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders

Médecins Sans Frontières (or Doctors Without Borders) is a medical NGO that provides medical resources to countries around the world. MSF was founded in 1971 with the belief “that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, or political affiliation”. Recently, MSF has turned their efforts towards providing support during this pandemic. They are currently “caring for patients, offering health education and mental health support, and providing training for vital infection control measures in health facilities around the world”. You can learn more and donate to MSF here.

4. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases is a non-profit organization that provides education regarding “the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan”. This has become especially valuable during the pandemic as they continue to provide unique resources regarding prevention techniques and maintaining vaccine rates amid the pandemic. You can support their work here.

5. Crisis Aid International

Crisis Aid International is a nonprofit organization that specializes in helping those in Africa and the United States in crisis situations. To date, they “have provided more than 17.8 million pounds of food, served 2.6 million adults and malnourished children, and 1,378 sex trafficking victims helped, the youngest being 4 years of age”. In response to COVID-19, they have worked diligently to expand their food programs to assist local communities and service projects. As with all of these great organizations, they can always use extra support. You can donate to Crisis Aid International here.

Additional COVID-19 Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.nih.gov/coronavirus

How to Make an Outreach Kit in 2021

Let’s be honest, this past year is not what anyone expected. Many industries have been disrupted by COVID-19 as we all continue to adapt. One group that is near and dear to us, is nonprofits. Many nonprofits have had to either cancel their annual events or make drastic cutbacks to what they are able to provide. The good news is that we can all continue to support our communities as individuals or as part of an organization.

Building the Ideal Kit

One of the staples of community outreach is providing kits of essential items for those in need. During a normal year, kits could include school supplies for underprivileged students or personal hygiene products for the homeless. While those items are still incredibly valuable, a few key additions may be necessary.

Homeless Care Kits

When putting together a care kit for the homeless some common items to include are hygiene products, socks, snacks and a reusable water bottle. We have the privilege of working with many nonprofits and these are some of the most common items we help find for them for their projects.

With COVID-19, it’s now important to consider what additional items are necessary to help protect the homeless population. Some great items to include are a pack of masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Not having the luxury of 24/7 shelter means we need to do all we can to protect them from the virus.

School Supply Kits

Another common project for nonprofits is backpack drives for underprivileged students. We’ve worked with both schools and nonprofits for years so we always have a selection of school supplies that work for classroom shopping and outreach projects. As we know, schools are in a difficult position trying to determine the best way to navigate the 2020-2021 school year. In turn, that means many nonprofits have needed to adjust their projects based on if their local schools are fully reopening or not. Regardless, we as individuals can also chip in to provide needed supplies for students at home and in the classroom.

Along with classic school supplies, masks and PPE are essential for students returning to the classroom. Because of that, we’ve made sure to have kid-size masks available. For students at home, the needs change a bit. While they will need all the usual writing utensils and notebooks, it’s a good idea to include some puzzle books or educational toys as fun activities for the kids. Lastly, many students rely on school for some of their meals, so providing some snacks or ready-to-eat meals is extremely valuable.

Once your kit is ready to go, all that’s left is to put it in a nice backpack whether it’ll be for this school year or the next.

It’s important to remember, as these changes continue, that we are all in this together. There will always be opportunities for us to continue to help one another. Putting together a care kit for someone in need is a great way to start.

Masks & PPE: Where to Start?

By Michael Campbell

As cases of COVID-19 continue to surge across the country, social distancing and wearing face masks in public will be the norm for a while longer. This new reality leaves people with a lot of questions regarding where to find these new essentials in the quantities they need.

As the crisis began, the market was flooded with different products at all kinds of prices and it hasn’t let up since. This makes it hard to sift through the noise and find what you actually need at the right price. Therefore, we wanted to take a moment to talk about what we offer and why it may fit your needs.

Retail

One of the obvious areas in need of masks and PPE is retail. People are looking online and in-person for supplies so it makes sense to have your store stocked up. We make sure to have a range of case quantities with no minimum order value so stores can test what will be best for their customers without breaking the bank. Additionally, if you run a brick-and-mortar store, it’s important to keep a good supply of masks and PPE to keep your employees safe and protected.

School

Schools are another area that will definitely be in need of PPE this school year. From sanitizer stations and cleaning supplies for buses to personal masks and face shields, a lot of preparation will be needed for schools that decide to have any level of in-person classes. Be sure to check out our selection of adult and kid masks or PPE kits.

You can read more about our tips for school preparation here.

Personal Use

Buying wholesale is not exclusive to businesses or schools. Many individuals have found the benefit of buying in bulk, especially with the usual shopping trips becoming more spread out. We recommend some larger sanitizer bottles for home and to refill any travel bottles you may have. You can also stock up on standard 3-ply face masks or grab a case of cloth masks that you can wash and reuse.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to keep yourself and those around you safe no matter what your day-to-day routine looks like. We’re here to help with whatever your needs are so please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Call Our Team Today! We’re Here to Help (888) 969-6301.

Returning to School: How to Prepare

As well all know, it is hard to confidently say what the future holds when it comes to this pandemic. One of the areas with the most uncertainty is school. Many schools are deciding to not physically open at all, while some are exploring alternative precautions, including a mix of online and in-class lessons with extensive sanitizing resources and social distancing.

Staying Home

As a parent, teacher or child it’s hard to know exactly what to prepare for. That’s why we want to make sure we can help for any scenario. For those that will continue to stay at home this coming school year, we have all the supplies your child may need to keep up with their studies and activities. We’ve compiled a great collection of wholesale school kits, arts and craft supplies and activity books to keep your kids active and engaged.

Partial Return or Full In-classroom

Many schools are trying to figure out the best way to open for the new school year. That means buying the needed school supplies and taking proper safety precautions to protect both teachers and students. Buying wholesale is also going to make life a little easier when working on a budget. We want to make sure you have access to any school supplies and PPE items you need this year.

Outreach groups have started to rethink their backpack drives as well by incorporating more PPE and masks. We have PPE kits ready to go that can be packaged with our wholesale Big Box school supplies and Forward backpacks.

Whatever this year ends up looking like, we want you all to know that we are here help and be a resource. If you need some extra help you can always call one of our Account Managers who can walk you through what others are doing to prepare and build the best assortment. We want to make sure everyone stays prepared and safe.

Call Our Team Today! We’re Here to Help (888) 969-6301.

Back to School 2020: Planning for the Future

By Michael Campbell

It’s hard to ignore the fact that the spread of COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the country and the way we are living our day-to-day lives. One area that was hit almost immediately was our school system, with many schools shutting down for the year in March. As these changes have gone into effect, parents and teachers have been incredibly resourceful in continuing to educate their children and students.

Big Box School Supplies

We, at DollarDays, have always made it our mission to be a partner for schools and teachers. As things continue to change we are committed to being a valuable resource and that is why we are officially launching our Back to School season! This year we are bringing back our Big Box brand of affordable, bulk school supplies, as well as our wholesale backpack brand, Forward. On top of that, we have also put together low-cost, individual school kits for everyone trying to navigate homeschooling.

Back to School Catalog

Even though normal schedules have been thrown out the window, we want to make sure that when schools are ready to prepare for the next school year, they won’t have to scramble to find what they need. To make things even easier we will soon be releasing our Back to School Catalog. Our catalog of curated school supplies easily breaks down our assortment into the categories teachers need.

Teacher Appreciation Week Contest

We also want to make sure teachers know how much they are appreciated. May 4th – 8th is Teacher Appreciation Week and, in honor of that, we are hosting a prize giveaway. We will be asking people to submit nominations of their favorite teacher. The top three winners will receive close to $1000 of school supplies for their classroom! You can nominate your favorite teacher here!

What’s Next?

We know that when buying school supplies in bulk, you might have a lot of questions about your order and how it will be shipped to you. That is why we have a dedicated representative who understands the buying needs of those in the education field. You can email Joe Pearson at jpearson@dollardays.com or call him at 480 922-8155 x 119. He would love to hear from you! And don’t forget, all teachers and educators always get a 10% discount on DollarDays.com through ID.me.

Times are especially strange right now, but we want to make sure our teachers and schools know we support them. We’re here to provide the resources they’ll need, wherever at home or in the classroom.

Working, Playing & Staying at Home

Now that working from home and home schooling the kids is the new normal for a while, we wanted put together a collection of products that will help you “Stay At Home” and keep all those plates spinning. The first part that is the most important is keeping the kids active, entertained and learning.

Keeping the Kids Busy

Even if they are stuck inside, we have lots of ideas to keep the family busy. From board games to puzzles, we have the best selection of wholesale toys and games. We even have paint sets and sketch pads to keep them creative. Need more ideas? Check out our Kids & Families Activity Guide.

STEM Tool

If that doesn’t keep their little minds busy, we have wholesale STEM toys as well for the older kids. If they are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics you should check out some of the items we have available in small case sizes.

Mental Health

Now that we have the kids busy, you need to make sure to make time for yourself. Maintaining your mental health during this ‘stay at home’ period can be challenging. Try the new trend of adult coloring books. Or you can go for puzzle books like Soduku or crossword puzzles. And if none of that works, you can buy yourself a case of stress balls.

Snacks

With more and more kids at home through the rest of the year, just feeding your family every day can become a daunting task. We have plenty of snacks available to keep your pantry stocked up. But we are most excited to announce our new line of food that your kids will love! The new assortment includes soups, ramen and other great lunch ideas for the kids.

Cleaning Supplies

One thing to reduce anxiety during this time is to keep your environment clean and sanitary. We still have good variety of soaps, hygiene items and other wholesale cleaning supplies to help you keep your home clean and germ free!

Electronics

Now that you are working from home, juggling conference calls and fending off questions from the kids you might need some extra accessories to keep all your electronics charged and working. We have power strips, power banks and other accessories to get your home office running smoothly.

This time can be difficult to navigate as we all find ourselves making adjustments to stay safe. We, at DollarDays, want to help provide some normalcy as best we can. Stay safe, everyone.

Best Products to Keep the Kids Busy at Home

The combination of self-quarantine and the upcoming summer means you are looking at a lot of time at home with the kids. Luckily, we have a ton of ideas and products to keep your kids learning and busy. You might be asking why you should be buying wholesale items by the case. The answer is simple: it’s a great way to save you money.

Buying in Bulk

At DollarDays we sell most of our items in small cases which make them perfect for large families and classrooms. However, if you don’t have a large family but are still looking to save money we have several ideas on how to still buy in bulk. First, consider teaming up with your neighbors and splitting cases of coloring and activity books. You could also partner with parents from your school or local PTA to buy items in bulk.

STEM and Learning

While many schools are closed, it is important to make sure kids are still learning every day. If you are homeschooling your kids right now, we have a large variety of wholesale school supplies to keep stocked up. We have a large selection of STEM and learning tools that will make learning fun. We currently stock everything from musical instruments, math tools and modeling clay.

Arts and Crafts

Nothing can engage kids more than creative arts and crafts projects. This is where buying in bulk can make sense even for a small family. Stock up on everything from glue sticks, glitter glue, googley eyes, paper products and craft sticks. We stock some of the favorites from Crayola and Play-doh.

Puzzles and Board Games

This could be another great way to save money by purchasing in bulk with other families in your community. Or think about going in together a buying a case of puzzles and board games. You can donate anything extra to a Boys and Girls Club or even to your local Retirement Home. There are many people stuck inside that could benefit from donations at this time.

Still not sure where to start? Check out our Activities for Kids and Families page where we have put together a great assortment of learning and entertainment products. These small cases are perfect for classrooms, families and those in your community.