Last April, when we had more questions than answers about the pandemic, I reached out to the Million Mask Challenge to ask how I could help. I had a deep desire to promote mask wearing and to help my local community. I'm not a sewer, but was eager to see if I could help in other ways. I was enthusiastically welcomed to the Orlando Chapter of this national group. The Million Mask Challenge has chapters all over the US, with thousands of volunteers cutting fabric and elastic, sewing masks for children and adults, and coordinating donations with local agencies, schools, and organizations.
I began by taking fabric donated to the group, washing/drying/ironing the fabric, and cutting it into either adult or child size mask pieces. Once I had completed a good number, I would ask my local Coordinator (the amazing Vanessa!) for a pick up and more fabric. Over time, I began purchasing the fabric myself or getting donations from my Mom and Mother In Law. Before I knew it, I was cutting an average of 800 pieces every few weeks. On October 11, I hit the 10,000 piece mark and my family rejoiced. This spring, I will soon hit the 15,000 piece mark! Each mask requires two pieces of fabric. So very soon, I will have contributed to 7,500 masks for local long-term care facilities, Title 1 schools, Second Harvest Food Bank, foster care agencies, and many other community organizations.
My professional life has been consumed with COVID-19 for the past 10 months. It feels so good to be contributing to stopping community spread and promoting mask wearing in some of our most vulnerable populations. I have also found a deep sense of connection and community with the Million Mask Challenge- Orlando group on Facebook. They have cheered me on both personally and professionally, in addition to my fabric cutting efforts! I have been able to recruit some additional sewers to the group and am so grateful to my Mom and Mother In Law who have contributed hundreds of dollars of fabric to the cause.
In times of chaos, crisis, or strife, I "look for the helpers" as Mr. Rogers said. I have found a wonderful community of helpers in the group and look forward to the day when our efforts will no longer be necessary. Until then, I continue to cut fabric at night and on weekends!
The pictures in the Gallery below is a sampling of the fabric that I have cut and the final products created by the talented group of sewers! The first picture is my 10,000th cut!
Comments