University of the Pacific alumnus Nabeel Cajee ’11, ’15 made a pledge at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: the Print to Protect Coalition he was forming would construct 10,000 face shields to help Central Valley front-line workers.

He is pleased to report the mission was accomplished.

The goal was lofty for Cajee, a Manteca dentist and member of the Pacific Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Cajee was the driving force behind an effort to harness Pacific, businesses, health care entities and individuals to use laser cutters and 3D printers to construct the needed personal protection devices.

“We were grateful to meet our goal just as the supply chains were being restored,” Cajee said. “I feel as if we were there to serve when the need was intense. There was a time early on when PPEs were in such short supply.

“We had members of the coalition using their laser cutters and 3D printers around the clock in some cases.”

Among those helping out were the staff at Pacific's William Knox Holt Memorial Library and Learning Center and the School of Engineering and Computer Science.

“Pacific was one of our leaders from the start,” Cajee said. “Everyone was so caring and supportive of what needed to be done.”

Business and health entities that were active with Print to Protect include HATCH Workshop and Dialysis and Pheresis Technologies, Inc..

“It truly was a combination of individuals, small businesses and institutions that all came together to meet the need,” Cajee said. “At this stage, the Print to Protect Coalition is in a holding pattern in case we need more PPEs. The network is in place, and we still have some funds. But I think things are headed in a better direction.”

Cajee is staying active in the battle against COVID-19, volunteering at vaccination clinics. Cajee and his wife, Safa, also are expecting their first child.