When public health developments took an especially ominous turn in March, one local company sprang into action. Hardy Diagnostics, a Santa Maria-based medical-device manufacturer, hasn’t let up since.

“Over the last six months, Hardy Diagnostics has been working six days a week, two or three shifts per day, to produce Viral Transport Media kits for the collection and transport of viral specimens,” said Vice President Christopher Catani. “In addition, as a laboratory supplier we continue to provide AloeSafe hand sanitizers, N95 masks, face shields, and gloves to protect healthcare workers.”

Helping out in the community is nothing new to Hardy Diagnostics. Seven years ago, company founder Jay Hardy established the Hardy Family Scholarship Fund with his late wife, Anne. Administered by the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, the fund has awarded $300,000 in scholarships to Santa Maria-area students. The Scholarship Foundation honored Jay and Anne with an Ambassador Award in 2015.

According to Mr. Catani, the couple’s philanthropic outreach is of a piece with the company’s efforts this year.

“Hardy Diagnostics has been serving the healthcare industry since 1980 and is proud to be part of the healthcare response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.