Pakistan American business group donates masks, hand sanitizer to LA County Fire

The Pakistan American Chamber of Commerce presented the Los Angeles County Fire Department with a hefty donation of face masks and hand sanitizers outside Station 30, in Cerritos, Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The chamber’s Community Task Force collected 100,000 masks and more than 10,000 bottles of hand sanitizer in appreciation of the first responders’ efforts in battling wildfires, protecting lives and serving the community throughout the region and beyond.

Artesia Mayor Ali Taj and county Fire Department Chief Deputy Daryl Osby joined the celebration, which was just one of many donation events the chamber has hosted since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.

“This conversation between (Chamber Chairman) Mr. Waqar Khan and his wife, Fatima, began a few weeks ago,” Taj said. “And since then, they have stepped up to not only donate this today, but they have donated across the county well over a million masks.”

The chamber has held distribution events for residents, students, teachers and police officers across the LA County. The donated items have come mainly from local Pakistani business owners.

Wednesday’s mask donation came from Ultimo Fashions Inc. CEO Amin Gagai and the hand sanitizers came from local business person Anis Bakali.

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to give back to our community,” Bakali said. “We don’t get to say this as often as we’d like to, but we thank you and we appreciate you.

“God bless America and God bless Pakistan,” he added.

Osby presented each of the chamber members and donors with a certificate of appreciation.

“Not only are you helping our first responders save lives,” Osby said, “you’re helping our department stay healthy.”

The chamber, in return, gifted Osby with an antique sword.

“To help you fight the fires,” Khan joked.