OMI Industries of Rising Sun has donated 1000 bottles of hand sanitizer to the Rising Sun and Ohio County community.  Even though COVID-19 restrictions are slowly being eased in Indiana and across the country, people should continue to wash their hands thoroughly and use hand sanitizer, especially when hand washing is not an option.

Melinda Adamec, Senior Director of Strategic Partnership and Business Development, coordinated the donation with City of Rising Sun Grant Writer and Communications Manager, Bryce Kendrick.

“Rising Sun is home to many of our employees and has been a very special part of our company since we opened our manufacturing plant over a decade ago,” said Philip Coffey, CEO, OMI Industries. “Donating hand sanitizer to first responders and businesses in need is a chance to support an area that has given us so much.”

Upon learning of the donation from OMI, the city put together a distribution plan for both the city and the county.

“This is a very thoughtful and generous donation from our friends at OMI,” said Rising Sun Mayor Steve Slack. “COVID-19 isn’t going to disappear any time soon.  Each of us must continue to do our part to help prevent the spread.  Distributing hand sanitizer to places within our county where it will have the broadest and greatest impact will certainly help. We can’t thank OMI enough.”

Included in the planned distribution within the county are all first responder groups, schools and education facilities, city and county government buildings and facilities, senior care and housing facilities, plus public use buildings and facilities.

The city has also set aside a supply of bottles for local businesses but will not be distributing directly to them and there is a restriction.

“Any business with a storefront, civic organization or church within Ohio County which has daily interaction with the public may contact us and reserve up to five bottles of hand sanitizer while supplies last,” said Kendrick.  “My sports business, for example, does not qualify.  I operate from within the county, but I don’t have a facility where I interact with the public.  The hand sanitizer should go to those who really need it.”

Qualifying businesses, civic organizations and churches who are interested in receiving hand sanitizer should do the following:

• Email Bryce Kendrick at bkendrick@cityofrisingsun.com.
• Include your name, business/organization/church name with address and phone number.
• Request up to five bottles. Please do not request more than you need.
• If approved, you will receive a confirmation response.
• Once you receive a confirmation, you may pick up your bottles at the Utilities Desk at City Hall (Walnut Street entrance) during normal business hours.
• Supplies are limited.