The Mask Movement: You Are Needed

By: Megan Benz

In a time of crisis and uncertainty, Memorial residents have once again banded together to help their neighbors in need. Professionals on the frontlines are working day and night to combat this invisible enemy, and the best thing everyone else can do in the meantime is support the Mask Movement from home.   

While it might sound simple to sit home and do nothing, our philanthropic neighbors are itching to help. Many residents and businesses across Memorial have stepped up to do their part to help medical professionals by sewing masks and supporting non-profits still in need. Below are three examples of our wonderful Memorial neighbors reaching out to the community through Facebook.

Create Face Masks Houston (CFMH) is a non-profit organization run by nurses who noticed a need in hospitals and communities for facemasks. They quickly got to work, created this program, and enlisted the help of their neighbors. Volunteers of the Kutting Krewe community on Facebook are working hard to prepare facemasks for CFMH to distribute to areas in need. If you or anyone you know can sew a straight line and iron simple folds, YOU ARE NEEDED. If you can’t sew or iron but can donate, cut or uncut fabric for any of the workers, YOU ARE NEEDED. Every little bit helps, and the more people who are on board, the more healthcare professionals we can protect so they can continue serving and keeping the community and our loved ones healthy.

To participate, join the Kutting Krewe community on Facebook and start sewing!

Kutting Krewe Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/500798224132161/

**information courtesy of Kaitlyn Lee Sharp**

Kaitlyn Lee Sharp’s Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/kaitlyn.sharp1

Local Memorial resident, Farah Armstrong, reached out via Facebook to her friends and family asking for help sewing masks. Armstrong’s preparing for the worst and readying
masks in case supplies run out. She has kindly offered to pick up masks from your home to donate directly to a good friend fighting on the front lines.

By purchasing masks from neighbors such as Shirley’s Stitches, you not only protect yourself and support local businesses but protect the men and women on the frontlines. A portion of the proceeds from Shirley’s Stitches masks sales will be used to medical grade personal protective equipment for medical personnel through the project C.U.R.E. Her low prices of $7.00 for one and $12.00 for two make supporting her cause so easy!

PM Shirley’s Stitches on Facebook for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/shirleystitcheshouston/

There are so many ways to make masks. Below are some easy to follow, hospital certified, ways:

• https://sarahmaker.com/how-to-sew-a-surgical-face-mask-for-hospitals-free-pattern/
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
• https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus.html
• https://www.joann.com/make-to-give-response/

Whether you would like to be hands-on in the mask movement or add fuel to it by donating supplies, YOU ARE NEEDED.