Salon owner starts mask donation drive to Rockville Centre Police Department

Throughout the pandemic, the Rockville Centre Police Department has been on the front lines and has kept the community safe. As a way to both show appreciation for what they are doing and to continue to keep police officers safe, Izabela Saboski, owner and president of Colour Bar Hair on North Village Avenue, is starting a community effort to help protect the members of the department amid the pandemic through donations of high-quality face masks.

More than 1,000 masks have been designed to the police department’s specifications; the masks have the department’s logo on them so that they can be worn as part of the uniform. The masks are designed with four-ply, hypoallergenic, nano silver technology, are antibacterial, antimicrobial, reusable, and completely breathable. Colour Bar Hair will donate $5,000 to the RVC Police Association to support the cause.

“In this new world, I believe that health is the new wealth, safety is the new luxury, care is the new currency and green is the new reality,” Saboski said.

She said the masks were designed with the permission of Police Commissioner James Vafeades and the PBA president James Carty.

“It’s very nice to have someone thinking about you and your safety,” Carty said. “We’re very appreciative we’re getting this donation.”

Carty said it is suggested, though not required, for officers to wear masks when dealing with the public. For the past few months, he said, they have been wearing the disposable paper masks, but the new masks will become a part of their uniform. 

The department has 92 employees, including 56 officers. So far, 45 masks have been delivered to the department. A donation of $20 per mask is suggested; donations will be accepted at 93A N. Park Ave. and cash and checks are accepted.

Vafeades noted that throughout the pandemic, donations of masks and supplies have come in and the officers have been appreciative. “I think it makes them feel good to know that people are supporting us,” he said. “We’re appreciative of any support we get from the community.”