MIDDLEBURY — In its COVID-19 newsletter on Thursday, Porter Medical Center said that it was now accepting hand sewn mask donations.
We have been so grateful for our community’s outpouring of support to Porter Medical Center in response to the Center for Disease Control’s guidance that fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted. While we currently have enough supplies on hand to care for our community right now, in order to build a strategic reserve we are now accepting donations of hand sewn masks.
Donated masks can be dropped off at the Round Robin Upscale Resale Thrift Shop in the Marble Works plaza Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (you may leave them at the front door).
Please adhere to the guidelines and information posted on the Hand Sewn Mask Donations page on the Porter website, which can be found here: www.portermedical.org/hand-sewn-mask-donations.
Please direct any questions about donations to Amy Barr, Development Director, at [email protected] x4762.

Sewing Masks for Donations
One way to supplement our ever-changing inventory of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is to join the national movement of volunteers who have started to sew masks. This generous outpouring is in response to the Center for Disease Control’s guidance that fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted.
Below is our general guidance for those who wish to participate and help by sewing masks for donation.
Important Infection Prevention
Before starting this project, please ask yourself the following questions:

Have you been in contact with anyone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past 14 days?

Do you have fever, cough or shortness of breath?
If you are able to answer “NO” to both questions, then proceed with making masks.
 
If you answer “YES” to either or both questions, please do not make masks. If you are experiencing cough, fever, or shortness of breath and have a concern that you may have COVID-19 please call your primary care provider for a risk assessment.

Instructions for Making Masks
Materials

100% unused cotton fabric (front) – no metallic fabrics

Solid Colors Only/ No Patterns

100% cotton or cotton flannel (back)

1/8″, 1/4″, or 3/8” flat elastic, or 1/4” inch bias-tape

“Medium” size masks will be the most useful
For specific dimensions refer to the written instructions (PDF).

Video instructions: Instructional video from Deaconess Health System. 

Written instructions: How to Make a Facemask (PDF)
If you cannot find elastics, follow these instructions to make fabric ties
If flat elastic is not available, fabric ties can be sewn on the mask, one tie on each of the four mask corners. Ties should be approximately 1/4” width, sewn so there are no frayed edges, and approximately 15” for each corner.
Dropping Off Masks
Fabric masks should be dropped off in re-sealable plastic bags to the Round Robin Thrift Shop in Middlebury.
Donations will be accepted:

Monday through Friday: 10am to 4pm
Mailing Your Mask Donations
Please mail your masks via USPS, UPS, and FedEx to:
Round Robin
211 Maple St #28
Middlebury, VT 05753