(NEWBERG, OREGON) - Last week, Newberg Public Library Director Will Worthey was connected with local realtor and Noon Rotarian, Judy Robinson, in a quest to see if library staff could help make masks for those in need. Robinson, along with a small group of volunteers, spontaneously heeded the call to make dozens of 100% cotton face masks due to the ongoing shortage of surgical masks. Though these masks are less effective than professional surgical masks, they are filling a local need. Requests soon started to roll in from local hospices and retirement communities and the Newberg Mask Force was born.
To date, the Newberg Mask Force has delivered 91 masks to local institutions and has 167 masks in stock with six volunteers cutting and sewing to manufacture more. Local health care institutions have requested 424 units at this time, so more help is needed.
Will explains, “I have staff that cannot do their regular duties, and Judy has great volunteers. We have a clear need for these masks, and we will get it done.”
While volunteers created a shared tracking spreadsheet, the library receiving area was turned into a logistics hub for mask supply. The site is being used to cut cloth and pass fabric through the four steps needed to make the masks. Volunteers are delivering supplies and finished masks in sealed bags that can sit for several days before going to the next step in the process. The outside of the bags are wiped down with bleach before going into the bins.
Volunteers can drop off raw materials or pick up finished products from 9am until 5pm Monday through Friday, as coordinated by Judy. If you have a sewing machine and the skills to get involved, please contact Will Worthey at will.worthey@newbergoregon.gov or Judy Robinson at realpropertyforless@gmail.com.
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