Church volunteers give away masks
With a volunteer holding a cardboard sign saying simply: “Free Masks,” members of the Gospel Life Church in Evans City handed out protective face cloths Thursday, part of the church's effort to aid in fighting the spread of COVID-19 in Butler County.
Church volunteers estimated that they had already sewn close to 150 masks as of Thursday, and members will continue to make more for the duration of the pandemic.
“We have plenty of sewers around here,” said Pastor Dave Trepanier. “We're doing what we can to help.”
The idea originated with church member Valerie Damato of Mars. Her son who is a nurse had mentioned the shortage at his hospital, inspiring Damato to organize church volunteers. Their designs are based on recommended templates for the hospital-style masks.
“I started making them for him,” Damato said, “Everyone just sort of jumped in.”
Valerie said she wanted to do her part to help the community during the pandemic.
“It gives me something to do for other people,” said Valerie.
Both she and her husband, Phil Damato, are retired.
Volunteers set up a drive-through pickup for masks Thursday in the church's parking lot on Washington Road in Evans City.
As of Thursday, church members had not decided on a schedule to distribute more masks. Trepanier said, however, that anyone who would like a mask can still reach out to the church by phone or email to inquire about availability or to make an order for a larger group.
Since the idea began, church volunteers have given masks to various organizations and employers that church members are affiliated with, including employees at Home Depot in Cranberry Township, Adult and Teen Challenge inpatient rehabilitation facility in Cheswick in Allegheny County and St. John's Church in Mars.
A number of the volunteers obtained fabric from JOANN Fabric and Crafts in Cranberry. Damato said the store and other area craft stores were giving away fabric for people looking to make protective masks.
