Community Member Sews Over 1,000 Face Masks for Patients During Coronavirus Pandemic

Every Thursday, Georganne hands over two dozen hand-sewn facemasks to her neighbor Rena, a medical staff credential specialist at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Georganne has sewn over 1,000 facemasks for patients and their families.

“At the start of the pandemic, I was making surgical masks for doctors and nurses. COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, so I haven’t stopped sewing,” explained Georganne. “I’m retired now and I’m in the high-risk age group for contracting COVID-19. I need to stay in quarantine, but I also need something to help pass the time! Sewing all of these masks for kids is a great cause.”

Georganne spends multiple hours each week sewing themed facemasks based on the seasons and holidays.

“I made some orange Halloween face masks a few weeks ago with cats and pumpkins on them and now I’m moving on to Christmas patterns,” said Georganne.

Over the past few weeks, Georganne has encouraged other volunteer groups including the Boy Scouts of America to get involved. Her grandsons are both Boy Scouts and they created facemasks with their individual troops. Each troop sewed about 100 face masks and delivered them to the Northern California Shriners Hospital. Georganne’s friends and family members have started dropping off fabrics and patterns for her to use. She is inspiring those around her to give back.

Each weekend her neighbor Rena collects the completed facemasks and delivers them to her contact at the hospital. In addition to facemasks, Georganne has made and donated over 40 quilts and pillowcases for patients at the hospital.

“Sewing is a personal passion, and as my husband says, it keeps me out of trouble,” said Georganne as she let out a small chuckle. “If I can’t be there physically to volunteer in the hospital, sewing face masks for patients and their families is the least I can do.”