More than 250 gallons of hand sanitizer are being distributed across West Texas A&M University, thanks to a generous donation from a Texas company.

Lily of the Desert Nutraceuticals, an organic aloe vera farm and processing facility whose corporate headquarters are in Denton, recently donated 252 gallons of sanitizer, which would retail for nearly $6,000.

The company has been in personal care for more than 50 years and began manufacturing hand sanitizer during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. When retailers ordered too much sanitizer, Lily of the Desert ended up with a surplus.

“We saw the opportunity to turn a tough situation for us into a positive one for universities and schools in Texas,” said Paige McCabe, Lily of the Desert’s director of purchasing, planning and logistics. “We are very happy that we were able to connect with WT and provide something the University could utilize.”

The University is distributing the hand sanitizer in 8-oz. and gallon bottles.

“The WTAMU Foundation is grateful for the generous contribution of sanitizer,” Dr. Todd Rasberry, vice president for philanthropy and external relations and executive director of the WTAMU Foundation. “The health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff is central to the educational mission and our long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.”

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West campaign.

-West Texas A&M University