There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating on the global scene, yet what stands out in stark contrast are the emerging heroes.

The global cleaning industry is fighting the coronavirus and its COVID-19 spawn by confronting it with cleaning and disinfection, while the vast majority outside the industry engage in the battle by staying away—and staying safe.

The frontline cleaning industry professional has plenty of resources, either with training or with equipment and products, to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces and help create safe environments, both inside and outside of buildings.

And behind the scenes are the people and organizations helping to support and fund the effort to advance cleaning and disinfection.

KCP responds

Early on, Kimberly-Clark Professional (KCP) detected the need for cleaning professionals to receive training on cleaning and disinfection, especially in developing situations involving infectious disease prevention.

So KCP decided on an extraordinary solution. The global sanitary paper product manufacturer partnered with ISSA and the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, to develop the “Empowering Our Essential Heroes” scholarship. This program helps cleaning companies provide critical training for their employees in response to COVID-19 through the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course: Cleaning & Disinfection Principles. KCP donated $500,000 with the potential to serve more than 10,000 cleaning professionals across the globe with complimentary training.

The program also has a goal of approximately 50% of the scholarships going to female front-line workers in the industry, supporting a mentorship program in partnership with the ISSA Hygieia Network, the first women’s network for the entire cleaning industry dedicated to the advancement of women.

Brand new to the KCP scholarship program is the GBAC^® STAR Grants Program for K-12 schools, utilizing some of the scholarship funds. More details on this new program will be released by ISSA and KCP soon.

Kimberley-Clark Professional is a hero right now.

David and Sharon Wax

Besides corporations, individuals have also stepped up to help.

David Wax is recently retired from Waxie Sanitary Supply, a company founded by his family in 1945. As the executive vice president when he retired, Wax studied the issues facing those in the battle, and he and his wife, Sharon, decided to do something to help.

Together, they have donated a gift of $100,000 to ISSA Charities. The donation has two purposes: To create a scholarship in the name of David and his brother, Charles Wax, and to benefit and strengthen the ISSA Hygieia Network by helping to fund that cause.

David and Sharon are heroes right now.

ISSA Scholars

Another channel of giving is through ISSA Scholars, an ISSA Charities program. Spanning three decades, this program, backed by ISSA member companies, has provided nearly $4 million in financial aid to over 1,000 college-aged students.

Despite the challenges with the pandemic, the goals and focus of the ISSA Scholars program have not changed this year.

Approximately 25 leading ISSA member companies have provided the resources for scholarships that will impact the lives of 36 college-aged students.

The ISSA Scholars program is a hero right now.

Cleaning For A Reason

This ISSA Charities program goes to the heart of those in need. Since 2006, Cleaning For A Reason has partnered with some 1,200 residential cleaning companies across the United States and Canada to serve the needs of more than 30,000 patients battling cancer.

Residential cleaning companies that are part of the program provide home cleaning services under the Cleaning For A Reason umbrella. This is truly a charity that makes a difference and has provided services valued at more than $10 million since its inception.

Cleaning For A Reason is a hero right now.

Do your part

ISSA is constantly seeking individuals and companies who have a charitable spirit and wish to donate to help those in need. Dig deep and see if that is you or your company. If you decide it is, you can get more information on the issa.com website, by telephone at 800-225-4772, or by email at [email protected].

Become a hero right now.