A group of mask-makers in Columbus is asking for volunteers with sewing machines to join them in assembling cloth face coverings for Columbus Municipal School District students in pre-K through fourth grade. As posted on the CMSD website, students and staff will wear face coverings as a safety precaution to help prevent spread of COVID-19.
Several congregation members at Columbus’ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church originated the mask-making effort. The initial goal is to have 3,000 child-sized, washable, non-medical masks available when the school term begins Aug. 6. Each child would receive two masks.
“Finding masks that will correctly fit children is hard; we saw a need,” said Annis Cox, a project co-organizer. “With this many masks to make, we need help. We’re asking anyone willing to pick up kits and assemble some to pitch in.”
Kits with precut fabric plus all other materials and instructions needed to assemble 10 two-layer masks will be handed out from 5-6 p.m. daily, beginning today, at the rear entrance drive-through lane behind St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 318 College St. Volunteers receiving kits may stay in their vehicles.
“These masks are easy and quick to put together,” Cox said.
When finished, masks may be dropped off to volunteers at the same drive-through lane between 5-6 p.m.
“And, of course, we’d love for them to pick up another kit,” Cox said. “We could also use volunteers to help cut fabric, assemble the kits and distribute them to others to put together.”
While the immediate focus is on providing face coverings for younger children, the group’s goal is to expand to making masks for older CMSD students, as well as for students at county schools.
More information on CMSD COVID-19 guidelines and school schedules is available at columbuscityschools.org.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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