The University of Arkansas at Little Rock received a helping hand from Peach Layne in the form of a large donation of hand sanitizer that will help keep the faculty, staff, and students healthy when they return to campus this fall. 

“We are so thankful that we are able to give back to our local community,” said Rachael Oberste, founder and CEO of Peach Layne. “These times are so difficult and challenging to navigate. COVID-19 cases for the state of Arkansas are very densely populated in central Arkansas. We see the need to help UA Little Rock because the university touches a lot of lives. We are happy and grateful that we were in a position to help.” 

Oberste and Sarah Massimo co-founded Peach Layne, a wholesaler and manufacturer of retail products, five months ago in Little Rock. Oberste and her sister Becca Bailey, who serves as Peach Layne’s director of logistics and operations, wanted to help the university after talking with Bailey’s wife, Maggie Strange, associate athletic director and senior woman administrator for UA Little Rock Athletics. Oberste and Bailey are granddaughters of Dr. Howard Ashley Ted Bailey Jr., a longtime supporter of higher education and a pioneering physician.

“This thoughtful donation of hand sanitizer will contribute to the health and safety of our campus community,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “We are so thankful to Peach Layne for being a good corporate community partner who is looking out for our UA Little Rock family. We are delighted that third-generation members of the Bailey family are continuing their family’s support of higher education in Arkansas.”

The donation contains 3,780 4-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer with a retail value of approximately $18,880. The hand sanitizer will be distributed to UA Little Rock students and employees to help keep them safe during the 2020-21 school year.

“Hand sanitizer in any size or quantity is a much sought after commodity today,” said David Millay, associate vice chancellor of facilities management. “This wonderful donation of nearly 4,000 personal sized bottles will go a long way towards keeping our campus community safe!”

In the upper right photo, sisters Becca Bailey and Rachael Oberste of Peach Layne donated nearly 4,000 spray bottles of hand sanitizer to UA Little Rock. Photo by Ben Krain.