1,000 Masks Challenge
Sue Hoag, president of the Friends of the Library of the Chathams, has announced that they have launched a new project to help with the serious problems the Coronavirus has brought to Chatham. Called the “1,000 Masks Challenge” it is an idea proposed by Chatham Librarian Karen Brodsky, which entails the purchase of yards of fabric, spools of thread and elastic for the sewing of face masks needed during this dangerous and trying time.
Many of the Friends including Susan Tackaberry, Debbie Fabian, Maureen Kelly, Nellie Brogan, a library employee, and a local resident Maria Osinski , cut the lengths of fabric needed and made up the kits, including design and sewing instructions, Each kit contains enough for 24 masks which are then put into special reusable “Library of the Chathams” tote bags provided by ECLC Pride.
A special thanks goes to the owners of Colony Cleaners who have done a great service by cutting many yards of fabric and making 300 masks. When the kits are all packed more Friends, including Phyllis and Kent Stevens and Betsy Maltby deliver them to the volunteers to sew into the masks. When they are finished they are delivered to the Chatham Emergency Squad where they are sanitized and delivered wherever needed.
All of the library staffers and Friends who have worked on this have been especially giving and are much appreciated.
The most recent count has the number of masks close to 900 towards the 1,000 mask challenge. However, due to the demand for these masks there will soon be kits available for at least 2,500 more. The Friends welcome all those who are interested in helping with this very worthwhile project. This is probably the most difficult thing any of us have faced in our lifetime and it is a time for all of us to reach out and help in any way we can. If you would like to be a part of this project please call (862) 246-6108 or go to the Library of the Chathams website for more information. The Friends of the Library of the Chathams welcome all those who wish to help.
