PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - A company in Pasco County is working to make face shields to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

When the pandemic began, PharmaWorks in Odessa quickly began using their machines used to make packaging for the pharmaceutical industry to create the face shields.

“We felt like we had the equipment, we have the talent to be able to produce something like this quickly and to be able to make an impact,” said Peter Buczynsky, PharmaWorks Vice President and General Manager.

He said the community came together to help provide extra supplies, some workers even volunteering their time to get the shields made.

“When we first started this our goal was just to get them out into the community,” he explained.

But word quickly spread and so far he said they’ve made over 18,000 face shields sent all over the U.S. and some even to Canada and Mexico.

They’re also offering to send out the plastic shield portion on its own for those struggling to find the proper supplies.

“The stories that we hear from each person that comes by to pick them up is just incredible,” Buczynsky said.

“If we’ve been really helpful in keeping our numbers low in this community that’s what it’s all about,” he added.

They’ve been offering the face shields for free, but have recently added a small fee to make sure they can keep going.

“Our heart is to keep doing this. Our heart is to keep getting these out to whoever needs them and we’re going to continue to donate them, but we’re faced with having to shut it down because of the ever increasing expenses,” Buczynsky explained.

But he said they’ll plan to continue making the shields for as long as they can.

If you or someone you know is in need of a shield you can order one on their website.