Local father and son donate 3D printed face shields to Mat-Su Regional

WASILLA — Jack Horner and his 16-year-old son Delano are making the most of their COVID-19 quarantine by creating face shields with their home 3D printer and donating them to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

“As long as the need is there we kinda figured we would do it,” Jack said.

Delano is a student at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School and like all the other students in the community, he’s been stuck at home. The Valley teen was able to find a productive way to occupy his time and jumped right on it, according to his father.

“As you know, people being stuck at home, you get stir crazy and having something to occupy is a good thing,” Jack said.

Delano saw the National Institute of Health 3D printing site was sharing special resources for people to print products in their homes to support their communities through the pandemic.

“He’s very civic-minded and as soon as he saw that there was something that he could do and it was in his grasp, he was all for it,” Jack said. I’ve always known that he’s been very interested in making things good for people. He’s always wanted fairness and equality.”

The Horner family recently donated 25 homemade, NIH approved face shields to the hospital. They’ve restocked on printing material and are currently printing up the next batch of face shields along with a batch of shield and mask supporters that help prevent chafing. Jack said that he’s very proud of his son for taking on this project.

“I think it’s inspired the rest of the family. There was a need and he knew that he had the means so, therefore, he decided he had the responsibility, and there it went,” Jack said.

Jack said his other son, Declan, is 14 years old and had some “teenage heartache” upon the realization that the Mandalorian armor project was getting put on hold due to their family’s efforts to support the community.

He said Declan understood the need and he’s currently printing the mask and shield supporters and having fun with that project. When the quarantine is finally over, it’s safe to say that Declan will be happy to leave the house in his shiny new armor.

“So if you ever see a glow in the dark Mandalorian walking down the street in Palmer, that would be him,” Jack said.

Jack said there’s a lot of ways for community members to support the people on the frontline and their fellow neighbors during this time.

The Mat-Su Borough created a Helper’s Hub page offering resources so people can find ways to help. The hub even includes 3-D printer downloadable files for the same kinds of shields the Horners are crafting.

Jack noted the hospital has a list of essential items they need and that information is also on the Helper’s Hub. He said there are a plethora of ways people can help.

“If anyone’s interested, the needs there,” Jack said. “Maybe you’re not crafty, but you’ve got a bunch of M95 masks in your shed.”

Jack said he hopes people’s efforts inspire others to start projects of their own. He said the advent of 3D printing technology and other modern tools are proving to be a very effective resource during this time.

“Tools like 3D printing and home manufacturing are actually making stuff we’ve been talking about for 20 years possible now. Global supply chains cannot keep up with this, but peole can make this in their homes. I think that’s pretty amazing,” Jack said.

For more information about the borough’s Helper’s Hub, visit matsugov.us/helpershub

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com. Support local journalism. By subscribing you help local journalism continue to thrive. For our latest digital subscription information, see frontiersman.com/site/forms/subscription_services/