Combining the power of social media and the dedication of volunteers who are willing to give their time and talents has resulted in the distribution of more than 3,300 homemade masks by the Chester County Masketeers.
Margaret Reif, the Chester County controller, had the idea to form the group, and the effort kicked off in early April. "I was aware of the need for masks for nonmedical essential employees and reached out to Rep. Carolyn Comitta for her help," Reif explained. "She brought in people that she knew to start a website and Facebook page."
The group then established drop-off locations where sewers could place homemade masks, as well as donations of fabrics. Most of the sites are at located at area police stations. "We now have 12 locations around Chester County, (including) police departments and some private residences," Reif said.
She explained that coordinators are assigned to each location to pick up and distribute the masks as needed. "In addition to the Facebook page, the police departments are also promoting dropping off masks," Reif noted.
Once the mask donations started, they were distributed in two phases. "Phase one was to get the masks to nonmedical essential county workers. Since I work for the county, I knew where the need was, so we initially started giving the masks to the sheriff's deputies, prison guards, the health department, Pocopson Home and different places like that," noted Reif. "Once the county could procure masks, we were able to start moving into phase two, which was nonprofit organizations that are serving at-risk populations. We have been donating to Home of the Sparrow, The Garage in Kennett Square, the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County and a variety of nursing homes, senior centers and food banks. We coordinate with the directors of those organizations to determine the need."
Reif credits Comfort Care and Days for Girls, which donated masks and supplies to the group; Sew for PA, a partnering organization; local Girl Scout troops; the Chester County Sheriff's Department, which helps distribute the masks; and the police departments that were willing to keep the donation bins safe by having them at their locations.
The Masketeers group has 12 coordinators and four administrators, including Reif; Angela Emrich, volunteer coordinator; Kassie Newman, whose daughter came up with the name; and West Chester Mayor Dianne Herrin.
"We have weekly Zoom meetings with the coordinators; the tech administrators - the two website people, Kyle and Leslie Hudson of Crimson Planet Media of West Chester; and social media moderator Nithya Narayan," Reif noted. "We have never met before. We are virtual best buddies. Someday we'll meet in person."
Reif pointed out that there is still a great need for masks in the county. "We encourage people to start helping and continue helping," she stated. "For the Domestic Violence Center Chester County and for Home of the Sparrow, there is not a finite need. They are helping more and more people," said Reif.
She added that the Department of Aging is in need of masks for the at-risk elder community, as well as the caseworkers with Children, Youth & Families. "They need to wear masks and to bring masks into the home (they are visiting)," Reif noted.
Organizers have been very pleased with how quickly the group came together and began getting masks to those who needed them. "We are humbled by the generosity of all the individual sewers and groups that have helped us," said Reif. "People are so generous with their time and talent, and we are grateful to them for that."
For more information, including the list of drop-off locations, readers may visit http://www.chescomasketeers.com or http://www.facebook.com/ChesCoMasketeers or email chescomasketeers@gmail.com.
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