Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer meet with staff from the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation, Community Health Representatives, Winslow Indian Health Care Center, and the Office of the President and Vice President in Black Falls, Arizona, on April 28, 2020. Photo courtesy NNOPVP

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2020

Nez-Lizer thank individuals and groups that donated masks to help prevent COVID-19 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer extend their appreciation to the many organizations and individuals who have donated masks to the Navajo Nation, which are being distributed to elders, high-risk, and others by the Office of the President and Vice President and the Navajo Health Command Operations Center.

The leaders took precautions as they distributed hundreds of pre-packaged homemade protective masks outside grocery stores in the communities of Chinle and Burnside on Tuesday.

“We want to thank everyone who has contributed funds and essential items to the Navajo Nation. Each day, we are distributing food, water, masks, fire wood, hygiene products, and other items in several communities and we are planning more in other regions this week. We know there are many of our own Navajo people who are making masks at home and shipping them to the Navajo Health Command Operations Center – we are very grateful to all of you,” said President Nez. 

On Tuesday, President Nez and Vice President Lizer along with staff from the Navajo Nation Division of Transportation, Community Health Representatives, Winslow Indian Health Care Center, and the Office of the President and Vice President helped distribute food, water, fire wood, masks, and other essential items to over 75 families consisting of mostly elderly Navajo people in the remote communities of Black Falls and Dilkon. 

All precautions were taken as volunteers and staff members loaded the items into the vehicles with no direct contact with residents. Some of the elderly displayed signs from the inside of their vehicles reading “thank you” and “God bless” to show their appreciation for the items.  

“We’re in this together. We are all facing challenges, but on the upside this pandemic is also bringing the best out of our communities, enterprises, our Navajo youth, and many others in terms of their generosity and contributions. From the bottom of our hearts, we are very grateful to everyone who is stepping up to help,” stated Vice President Lizer. 

The Nez-Lizer Administration thanks Winslow Indian Health Care Center, Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, the CHR Program, World Vision, Black Falls Church, Division of Transportation, Dilkon Chapter, Tolani Lake Chapter, and others for contributing to Tuesday’s distribution events. 

As of Tuesday morning, the following individuals and groups that have donated masks:

Margaret Tyler

Anh Doan

Sandy Raynor

Pat Newport

Gena Newton

Pam Logan

1. Rupp

Denis Rennis

Joan Drexler

Teresa Homes

1. Billard

Patties Watson

Cinem

Frank Viviano

Laureen Rusek

Just Serve

Heather Yazzie

Laura Auxillary Group

Radium Gadgets

Terry Teitelbaum

Sandra Millin

Aimee Ault

Melissa Faulkner

Mary Pratt

Joy Kutaka-Kennedy

Tammie and Christopher Billey

Susan Wade

Zenaida Acosta

Church of Latter-Day Saints

Tammy Burbank

RSM Face Mask Volunteers 

Rachel Smith