Ngo Borders Covid-19 Mask Project
“As a citizen of our community, we have a responsibility to be a part of the solution.”
When the world abruptly stopped in March 2020…
Our team was also halted and frozen in time with a mix of fear, uncertainty and anxiety. There was so much unknown, but what hit me so hard during the first couple weeks of the pandemic was knowing that so many of my healthcare colleagues were working under a mask and PPE shortage. It broke my heart to know that my classmates, friends and co-workers were working the frontlines of this war, improperly outfitted.
I had friends tell me that their hospitals were low on N95 masks and had to reuse the same, soiled mask for a week at a time. I heard stories of places attempting to sterilize PPE that was meant to be disposed after each use. I knew I had to do SOMETHING to help.
So… I ordered a sewing machine online and had it delivered to my home. Little did I know, it was only the beginning of my online pandemic purchases! I taught myself how to sew from YouTube and a lot of trial and error. I recruited my sister, Dr. Margie, her mother-in-law, my aunt and my friend’s mother, Mrs. Kerepesi to join the cause! 3 out of 5 of us bought sewing machines and taught ourselves how to sew for this project.
We had our operation running out of California, Florida, Virginia and Illinois, but ended up sending out masks to
22 different states!
We shipped masks off to hospitals, medical offices, dental offices, fire departments, police departments, veterinarians, and then later on, to family and friends. We intended these masks to be worn over an N95 mask to prolong the use of it.
I coordinated efforts with my hometown’s fire departments of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, VA and Tampa, FL to donate masks to SEVEN different firehouses and paramedics!
Our friends at the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Police Department sporting our navy blue masks!
The heros of the pandemic: our healthcare workers.
Our masks were made using two layers of cotton and a felt filter in the middle. Fabric was difficult to find, but elastic was even harder! Turns out, we were not the only ones making masks all over the world.
Within 3 months, we fabricated and distributed about
2,500
masks and scrub caps!
This vintage mint green sewing machine was my quarantine buddy.
Thank you to the hundreds of friends, family and colleagues who donated to our mask project. Your funds helped us ship thousands of packages to all corners of our country, provide us with supply and some lovely folks even sent us coffee!
I learned how to sew and distribute masks all over the country with a 2 year old attached to my hip, unwashed hair, no makeup, pajamas and a robe.
Today, I am still thankful to our frontline- the healthcare and first responders who never had a day off, who didn’t get to work from home and who continue to put their lives on the line for those infected.
Please get vaccinated!