(Editor’s note: a request by our school district)
“CCUSD Family –
It has come to our attention that one of our students is involved in an effort to produce PPE masks for front-line healthcare professionals and first responders. There is currently a severe state-wide shortage of more than 7000 masks for these brave heroes, and the situation grows more dire each day.
Angelique Cort, a sophomore at Cactus Shadows, and State Senator Paul Boyer are working together to provide this essential equipment throughout Arizona and have already furnished 200 masks to emergency rooms, schools, and firefighters. While there are many individual efforts to deliver homemade masks to the health care community, many of the designs that are being downloaded from the internet are ineffective and cannot be used by their recipients. The design for these special masks was provided by emergency room doctors. It is a completely reusable mask with a disposable filter—a design that completely meets their needs.
A small group of local volunteers is producing masks at a steady rate, but as shortages become more acute, they desperately need more volunteers. They need volunteers with sewing machines who are willing to join the effort as well as volunteers to pre-cut material and even donate fabric. They are looking for community-spirited volunteers who are willing to join this crucial effort.
Volunteers may contact Angelique at [email protected] to participate. She can provide them patterns and sewing instructions along with time-saving tips and help along the way. For those who don’t sew but want to help anyway, volunteers are also needed to cut fabric in preparation for sewing or to donate fabric and/or elastic to the effort (please reach out before purchasing fabric or supplies for donation so that she can advise you on what is needed most).
This is an opportunity for concerned citizens who want to help during this crisis to pitch in: a chance to make a difference while at the same time respecting social-distancing guidelines. Your efforts will make a huge contribution to the selfless professionals who daily put their lives on the line to keep us safe and well.
Thank you!”
