• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Subscribe
Program Guide
Watch Live

CCX Media

Skip NavigationMenu
  • News
    • Close
        • CCX News
          • CCX News Home
          • News Stories
            • CCX Daily Newscast
          • CCX News Special Reports
          • CCX Media Schools
        • Feature Segments

          • Business Matters
          • School Spotlight
          • Standout Student
          • Weekend Showcase
          • Newsmakers
        • News Tip

          Send us a story idea or news tip!
          Facebook Instagram Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
        • Apple News
    • Close
  • Sports
    • Close
        • CCX Sports
          • CCX Sports Home
          • Sports Tips
          • Hall of Fame
          • Upcoming Event Coverage
          • Play of the Week
        • Sports Coverage

          Adapted SportsAdditional SportsBaseballBasketballFootball
          GymnasticsHockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftball
          Swimming & DivingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWrestling
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
          Shop/Order
    • Close
  • Cities
    • Close
        • CCX Cities
          • CCX Cities Home
          • The Connection
          • In The Community
          • Our Town’s Story
          • Community Resources
          • CCX Media Schools
          • City Meetings
        • Your City

          Brooklyn Center Local News and Events
          Brooklyn Park MN Local News and Events
          Crystal
          Golden Valley
          Maple Grove
          New Hope
          Osseo
          Plymouth
          Robbinsdale
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Create
    • Close
        • CCX Create
          • CCX Create Home
          • Channels
          • Resources
          • Meet The Create Team
          • CCX Create Virtual Tour
        • Get Creative

          • Make Your Own Show
          • Free Classes
          • Contact Us
          • Polka Spotlight
          • Diversity Minute
        • RueShare

          • Member Login
          • Member Guide
        • Social Media

          Facebook Twitter Instagram
          Watch Live
          CCX1 | CCX2 | CCX3
    • Close
  • Subscribe
  • Program guide
  • Watch Live

Local Kayak Company Starts Producing Face Shields

10:00 AM | Saturday, April 4, 2020

Accent Paddle and Lightning Kayaks, located just outside Golden Valley, switched from making paddles and kayaks to making face shields. They are providing the shields to hospitals at cost.

Inside Accent Paddle and Lightning Kayaks production has shifted from kayaks and paddles to face masks.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, president of Lightning Kayaks Stewart Lee saw a need.

Springtime at his facility is usually a very busy time. But he transitioned production into making plastic face shields to use in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Normally this time of year our shop would be a flurry of activity making paddles and making kayaks and shipping them all over the world,” explained Lee. “But with the introduction of this virus things have really changed.”

Lee got a call from a friend in Australia who had switched his operation from manufacturing kayak parts to manufacturing face shields. 

“He was receiving a tremendous amount of requests from the United States. And he reached out to me and said this is something that you should do because it’s helping people,” said Lee.

Lee called suppliers and pivoted his production.

“We’re taking requests from anyone who wants a face shield that we’re sending out free. We’re also trying to get hospitals to reach out to us if they want to order large bulk. Basically charging our costs to keep our doors open,” said Lee.

They’ve made more than three thousand so far, and expect to increase production soon.

They’ve made thousands and are gearing up to increase production. They’ve shipped to ten states so far.

“The requests just keep coming in from all over the country,” said Lee.

Want to help?

People can go to LightningKayaks.com or AccentPaddles.com to donate.

“Or if they want to buy a face shield or have it sent to someone they know or have it sent to a hospital they know. If you are going to send to a hospital, please make sure they know they’re coming,” said Lee.

Lee said he expects to continue production of the face shields until the crisis is over. That said, he and his crew can’t wait to resume the usual heavy spring push for kayaks and paddles he normally would see this time of year.

For stories and news focused where you live go to CCX Media.

Neil Pursley, reporting

Golden Valley

Related Stories

Newsmakers: PRISM Sees Need for Housing Help Increase:  PRISM, a social service nonprofit in Golden… Read More
Environmental Leaders Launch ‘Low Salt, No Salt’ Campaign:  In the warmer months,… Read More
Plymouth Metrolink Expands Click-and-Ride Service to Maple Grove:  There are now more transportation… Read More
Golden Valley Looks to Hire Police from Other Cities to Fill Staffing Needs:  An officer shortage in… Read More
Under Pressure Brewing Celebrates 4-Year Anniversary in Golden Valley:  Under Pressure Brewing in… Read More
Tensions Rise As Marijuana Legalization Bill Moves Forward:  A bill to legalize recreational marijuana… Read More

Footer

NAVIGATE

  • CCX Media
  • NEWS
  • SPORTS
  • CITIES
  • CREATE
  • Job Opportunities
  • Meet the CCX Media Team
  • ABOUT CCX MEDIA
  • Annual Programming Reports
  • CABLE COMMISSION

SUBSCRIBE

Get email updates for daily story previews. “Week in Review” video links, and programming previews.

Subscribe Today

CONNECT

HAVE A NEWS TIP? CALL OUR TIPLINE AT:  763-533-1710
Send us story ideas and comments!
Get in touch with us
               
 NEWS   SPORTS
 SHOP/ORDER

LOCATION

CCX Media
6900 Winnetka Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428

Main Phone:  763-533-8196

CCX Media serves the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, including Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Copyright © 2023 CCXMedia | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Statement
Web Design and Development by CEL Marketing PR Design and BizzyWeb | Log in