FAIRBORN — Wright State Theatere Program faculty and students have contributed to the construction and distribution of 900 cloth masks to first responders and health care workers, with 700 more to come.
Masks are made by a regional team that includes the Wright State University costume shop manager, an adjunct faculty member in costume design, an adjunct faculty member in design/technology and a small team of students who are utilizing their sewing machines to contribute to the handmade supply of PPE.
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"We decided it was a really good project to do for the community and also keep our students sewing," said costume shop manager Carly Kimmins in a written statement. "When students were sent off campus, we couldn't send production work with them. Any kind of sewing projects we can have them working on keeps their abilities going."
Two sewing machines were loaned to students who live out of town.
Students use fabric, much of it leftover from the costume shop, elastic and a pattern to create each mask.
The fabric is washed so it shrinks, is sewn into a mask and is then rewashed and bagged for distribution. It takes roughly 20 minutes to make one mask.
The team has provided 100 masks to the Dayton Fire Department, 55 masks to Grace Hospice in Kettering and 25 masks to Dynamic Senior Solutions health care.
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A near dozen additional masks have gone to other organizations and people.
"It helps you feel in control of something at a time when everything feels out of control," said Kimmins. "I think it would be really easy to feel overwhelmed and anxiety-ridden and afraid. But when you wake up and have a purpose and a goal every day, it helps."
The masks are being given away for free, but donations from mask recipients are accepted.
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