Local store donates masks to Lowndes County first responders

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – A local discount retailer donated protective masks to Lowndes County first responders.

Dirt Cheap gave the masks to Columbus police officers, Lowndes County deputies, Columbus firefighters, and Lowndes volunteer firemen.

500 N95 masks and 400 surgical masks were handed out at the Columbus store.

The masks were already in stock.

Store officials said it was important to give the protective equipment to those that put their lives on the line to protect us.

“We try to find those counties, those cities, the fire stations, the police departments, the hospitals that need it the most, and it’s a privilege to just be a part of that opportunity,” said Brian Thomas, with Dirt Cheap.

“Our first responders who put their life on the line every day, when they get calls that come in from 9-1-1 saying there’s an incident at a home, whether it’s a domestic call or difficulty breathing, all of our responders respond to any call they receive and when they go, they’ll be well protected,” said Lowndes County EMA director Cindy Lawrence.

Dirt Cheap has donated more than 14,000 of the N95 masks to first responders in the region.