By Kathy Brown.
In June, we shared an article about a couple women spearheading an effort to make masks for all of the students and staff in Regional School District #17. Connecticut put out its requirements and guidance for schools to reopen and directed each district to submit their plan by July 24, 2020. RSD #17 submitted their plan, and one of the requirements was that everyone must wear a mask while in school: Pre-K to Grade 12, teachers, staff, and bus drivers.
Amy Perry, of Killingworth, spearheaded an effort to make 2400 masks in blue and gold (school colors) so that there would be one for everyone. 1100 of those have been completed. Along the way, Amy thought they should make some with kid-friendly prints as well, another 1900 of them.
They plan to be ready to distribute the masks around August 15, 2020. If the kid-friendly prints are not finished by that date, those will be handed out in class.
They have had just under 50 people volunteer to help make the masks. “Some have taken more than one tote,” explained Amy. “Each tote has supplies for 50 masks. We could use a few more to get the kid prints done by mid-August.”
Amy, along with Sharon Timek, put together tote bags which include supplies to make 50 masks (fabric, elastic, metal nose guard, thread) as well as instructions. Amy estimates that it will take 10-15 hours to sew 50 masks from start to finish.
Because they have increased the mask count, they have also increased the cost of fabric and supplies (thread, elastic). If anyone is willing to donate to the project, funds can be sent to Haddam Killingworth Youth & Family Services (P. O. Box 432, Higganum, CT 06441); please put “Mask Project 2020” in the memo so that it is funneled to the correct project. Because the donation will be going through HKYFS, the donation will be tax deductible.
If you are willing to help in this effort, please call Amy at 860-398-0215 or email her at Yourpersonalseamstress@gmail.com.
