VERGENNES — The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Vergennes is reaching out to its host communities with a new effort — the club hopes to work with its members and local volunteers to produce 10,000 facemasks this summer and fall to donate to area residents.
“While progress against the COVID-19 pandemic has been made, people still need to be cautious and wearing masks is a great way to protect each other,” said Boys & Girls Club Interim Director Cookie Steponaitis.
The program will get under way on Monday, June 8, when anyone with 100% cotton, tight-knit fabric to donate will be ask drop it off at the Boys & Girls Club at 20 Armory Lane in Vergennes, not far behind the Vermont National Guard Armory on Monkton Road.
There will be a gray container on the front porch into which people can place fabric or masks they have made. Those who have fabric to donate and can’t bring it in can email the club (see below) and have it picked up.
Starting June 15 the club will make packages of fabric, elastic and a mask-making pattern available to be picked up and completed by those wishing to sew.
The finished masks will be made available to all local citizens at Vergennes City Hall in Vergennes, the Bixby Library and at some stores.
Steponaitis said the club will update its website and Facebook account weekly with how many masks have been completed until the club reaches its goal of 10,000.
Those who would like to make masks are asked to reach out by emailing Cookie Steponaitis at [email protected] or Lisa Davis at [email protected].
Those who would like to volunteer but don’t have access to a sewing machine may make use of a sewing room at the Boys & Girls Club. The room will also be available, room and social distancing permitting, for those who don’t want to sew at home. Steponaitis said the club also has three machines it can lend out.
“It’s a great summer project and community service project for all ages,” she said, adding, “Masks are easy to make and a way to directly help in these difficult times.”