Eva with fabric used to make masks.
On April 3, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Annette Kohut received an alarming email from her daughter Sharon, a nurse in the maternity unit at Wetaskiwin Hospital. The hospital is located 70 kilometres south of Edmonton, Alberta. Sharon told Annette that the nurses on her floor were running out of protective gear - scrub hats and masks. She asked Annette for assistance in obtaining these crucial items to help staff through this crisis.
Annette spoke to me. I thought this was a great undertaking and jumped at the chance to do something that would fill this desperate need. I no longer had a sewing machine so I volunteered to find a supplier and purchase the cotton and elastic to make the masks and hats, as well as to cut the material.
We had no pattern for the scrub hat. A friend’s daughter, Andrea, a clothes designer, was asked to design and write instructions. Andrea, a young wife and mother of two small children, all self isolating at home, spent numerous hours working on this project. In two days, on April 7, she presented us with the pattern, instructions and two sample scrub hats.
In the meantime, Annette searched the internet for the best possible design for the masks - something effective and comfortable. She combined several patterns and settled on a design.
Annette made 36 sets of scrub hats and masks.
On April 14, after 8 days and 45 hours of sewing, Annette was able to ship her daughter 36 sets of scrub hats and masks. Sharon called her Mom when the box arrived and said, “Mom, you have no idea how much we appreciate this!”
Annette and I agreed to continue making more masks, selling them for $5 each with the profits being donated to charities. A few more volunteers were needed to assist.
We found two more helpers, excellent sewers, willing to commit to the project knowing full well they would need to pace themselves so as not to burn out. Two friends from St. Charles parish, Lynda Ann Smith and Maddy Kotowitch, accepted the challenge.
In the last few weeks, we have used 75 meters of 100% cotton, 360 meters of elastic and miles of thread. It takes 15 to 20 minutes of uninterrupted work to make one mask.
When we have finally sewn all our purchased material we will have made approximately 600 masks. The proceeds from the “Mask Project” will be divided among Winnipeg Harvest and soup kitchens in Winnipeg.
I asked the team how working on this project has affected them personally:
“It was a great challenge but I’ll really be happy to get back to enjoying my afternoon nap.” Annette Kohut
Lynda Ann receives another batch of cotton to sew into masks.
"It is always a 'fun ride' and for a 'great cause' to jump onboard with Eva and Annette when they get an idea in their heads and invite others to join in. So many will benefit from these ideas and our collective efforts. Knowing that part of my day was spent doing something I enjoy, sharing 'isolated time' with the gals and contributing a little something to such a good cause has helped the last few isolated weeks just fly right on by”. Lynda Ann Smith
“When I was approached if I could help to sew some needed face masks my first thought was great - this will give me something to do for the cause. I like to be busy. Having this project was a good way to break up my non routine day. As the need for more masks grew I realized that this project was more than something for me to do. There was a genuine need for this service. I'm happy to be able to do my little part and help out not only those who need the masks, but help a greater cause as well. Food banks and soup kitchens are struggling to assist those who count on them. I am thankful for this opportunity”. Maddy Kotowich
“This project was more than something to do”. Maddy
Submitted by Eva Arsenault, St. Charles Parish in Winnipeg.