What started as a neighborhood discussion on how to help neighbors has grown into a full-blown project to make masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
The city of Sublimity is spearheading the effort to get 10,000-plus cloth masks into the hands of its citizens and those in surrounding communities. City officials appointed Councilman Greg Atkin to oversee the project.
“Our motivation is to help people feel like they are helping stop the spread by keeping people safe by wearing cloth facemask and keeping social distance when in public,” Atkin said. “The response has literally gone viral, so much so that we are overwhelmed with contacts and offers of support, money, and people offering to sew masks.”
To start off the project, 1,300 yards of fabric was purchased and shipped from a JoAnn Fabrics distribution center in California, and hundreds of yards were donated by local citizens and businesses, according to Atkin.
“Currently, we are at about 2,500 masks made with another 1,500 being sewn,” Atkin said on April 27.
Area businesses are pitching in to make the masks, including Keizer Bernina Stitch and Sew staff who are cutting donated fabric. Stitch and Sew also donated fabric, and staff is providing sewing expertise.
Santiam Cleanery Services offered to wash, dry and press the 100-percent cotton fabric. Once cut into shorter lengths off the bolts, owner Gloria Johnson carried out the preparations at no cost to Sublimity or Stayton, both of whom have residents working on the mask project.
“Our involvement spanned a four-day period as we worked this project into our daily production routine,” she said. “We have the satisfaction of being able to help others in the community and being able to contribute to yet another cause.”
When Erica Rumpca heard about the shortage of personal protection equipment or PPE, she realized that Silver Falls Engraving could help. The Silverton business started to contribute to the coronavirus cause by making ear-saver clips for surgical masks and donating them to local healthcare professionals.
“That quickly grew, supplying thousands of ear-saver clips that we have shipped all over the United States,” Rumpca said. “As the need for ear-saver clips was starting to be fulfilled, we were contacted by Greg and he asked if we would be willing to cut fabric for his project of 10,000 masks. He had been told that our laser had a large bed size… To date we have cut over 4,000 pieces of fabric for masks, and we continue to cut as fabric is delivered to us.”
Also donating time and talents to produce masks are at least 45 sewers and quilters from Marion and Linn counties, Atkin said.
“Sublimity neighbors are picking up and delivering sewing kits to the sewers and providing assistance with the local businesses involved,” he said. “The Corvallis Sewing Brigade provided patterns and information on overall coordination as they have produced over 7,000 masks for their community in a similar group effort.”
For Barb Johnson, of Mehama, sewing masks is personal.
“My family has lived in this canyon since the 1870s,” she said. “So, my roots run deep and strong to do what I can to protect its people.”
Sewing quilts is Laura Mitchell’s passion.
“I belong to the Sublimity Quilters, and we donate charity quilts to the community,” Mitchell said. “Since we are not meeting at this time, several of us are sewing masks for this cause. It’s a great way to continue our effort in giving to our community.”
The local Stayton/Sublimity Community Emergency Response Team is distributing masks locally and then, by priority, to neighboring communities, Atkin said.
“CERT members are also sewing masks,” he added. “And numerous citizens have donated money to the cause to purchase necessary materials.”
According to Atkin, project participants are eager to help reduce the COVID-19 threat.
“This project will continue as long as we have volunteers to answer the call,” Atkin said. “By the response, it will continue for quite awhile.”
For more information or to donate, call Atkin at 503-949-1567 or email [email protected].
