The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Whitecaps FC have raised over a whopping million dollars in high-performance athletic face masks, with all net proceeds going towards saving the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquarium.
The soccer club tweeted about the surge in weekend sales on Monday morning, remarking that supporters had purchased a million dollars worth of face masks in a mere three days. In additon, they added that that purchases were made across the world, including the Netherlands, Austria, France, Portugal, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Over $1,000,000 in masks sold to help
— Whitecaps FC Communications (@VWFC_PR)
Last week, Lasse Gustavsson, Chief Executive Officer at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquarium, told Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» in a phone call that it may only be a matter of months before the beloved aquarium is shut down.
The iconic Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»facility closed to the public on March 17. On March 31, it laid off 345 employees, which amounts to 60% of its workforce. From rescued sea lions to otters, seals to jellies, fish to birds - basic animal care and facility costs at the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquarium exceed $1 million dollars each month. However, the facility reports that revenue has dropped from approximately $3 million to almost zero.
Ocean Wise Conservation Association reported that it has raised since the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquarium announced that it might be forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With that being said, Gustavsson stated that the Aquarium's expenses to care for the animals, and to keep the water circulating in its builing, are over $1 million a month.
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquarium tweeted about the soaring sales on Monday afternoon, remarking that, "This is absolutely incredible, thank you SO much," and adding that, "It takes a village."
This is absolutely incredible, thank you SO much 💙🌊
— Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquarium (@vanaqua)
Now, people can purchase one of four high-quality face masks, with each offering a special design, drawing inspiration from the ’Caps crest and the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Aquarium. The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Whitecaps note that the masks can be worn for long periods of time with no irratation due to a soft spun polyester lining close to the skin. They add that the mask, "makes use of double needle stitched binding for comfort and durability. Performance-wicking and made with 100 per cent polyester, it also features white piping that gives a visual indication when it’s time to wash the face mask."
The face masks come in small, medium and large and offer a, "stretchy ear-loop for maximum comfort." They also offer an, "Internal sleeve pouch allowing you to insert a filter of your choice."