Several students and staff members have used the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to show support for the Whitworth community. Shortly after the suspension of spring classes, a group of students from the Theatre Department came together to make a difference.
Led by the theatre department’s technical director Maria Sorce, the costume construction class and the costume shop staff began producing their own face masks for Whitworth employees. Pirate patterned masks were even gifted to President Beck and Julie Taylor.
Senior Sarah Gray is a member of the mask making team that began work in early April.
What started as a side project to create 30 masks, became a much larger endeavor, according to Gray. Gray has made 80 masks in the past two weeks, and is making more.
“I am set up at home with my personal sewing machine making masks with a pattern given to me. I was happy to help as I had the ability, time to fill, and a sewing machine available,” Gray said.
This effort has not only impacted the Whitworth community, but others in the greater Spokane area.
“Since I also have a temporary position with the Gonzaga University theatre, I have begun making masks for their effort as well, Gray said.”
Senior Chandler Wheeler also helped out with the mask making project.
“The majority of us are members of Whitworth’s theatre scenic crew, so we’ve all got experience with sewing machines and this seemed like a good way to give back to the community in a time of crisis,” Wheeler said.
Students who are helping to produce the masks work from home by cutting out the needed material and sewing together the required pieces for a functional mask.
“For me, I generally start in the mornings when I don’t have class with setting up my work station. It’s a pretty repetitive process; cutting out the material, sewing the mask ties, securely attaching them to the main mask, and sewing it all together,” Wheeler said.
Junior Kiana Pielli believes that other students can help support the project’s mission.
“Anyone, even non-Whitworth students, can support the cause as making masks does not have to be something that you are tasked to do. You can make masks to donate to families who do not have the money for a sewing machine or fabric. You can also donate masks to hospitals to help protect the healthcare workers,” Pielli said.
Wheeler also encouraged Whitworth students to give back by making masks.
“If you have access to a sewing machine, there are a lot of free patterns for masks online, and lots of organizations that are looking for masks both in and out of Spokane. If you’re able to contribute, it’s a great way to help those on the front lines, as well as a way to feel productive in this time of stand-still,” Wheeler said.
Face mask tutorials can be found online through sites such as https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus.html. Also, many organizations are looking for donations of face masks, such as Deaconess hospitals https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask.
