OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
The Focus of Our Efforts
MASK MAKER COMMUNITY
It all started with a Facebook Group. Seeking to connect local mask makers and volunteer efforts across our county, Draya started the Tompkins Mask Maker Community and Discussion Facebook Group in late March 2020. It now has 600 members and plays a vital role in sharing supplies, swapping tips, and connecting sewists with each other.
MASKS FOR FAMILIES
The Tompkins Mask Makers Volunteer Brigade provides face masks to individuals without sufficient resources who request them through our website. They also provide masks organizations in need, and to Mutual Aid Food Pantries across the county. We make the masks and often hand deliver them. Collectively Tompkins Mask Makers members have donated hundreds of masks.
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In order to provide masks for everyone who needs one, the Tompkins Mask Makers Volunteer Brigade has started a Pay it Forward Program. If you would like to support our labor in providing masks to our community for low or no cost, please click here. Your donation of $11 supports us in providing two masks to those in need.
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We also accept donations of cloth masks, cotton fabric, elastic, and bias tape. Please contact us at tompkinsmaskmakers@gmail.com for drop off location.
Thank you for helping to keep Tompkins County healthy!
THE MASK CABINET
Between 407 and 4112nd Street in the City of Ithaca lives the Mask Cabinet. Styled after the Mutual Aid Little Blue Food Pantries, Tompkins Mask Makers works hard to keep the cabinet stocked with free face masks. The lower portion of our cabinet is for distributing larger packs of masks to other organizations that distribute them.
YOUTH PROGRAM
In the Summer of 2020, Tompkins Mask Makers ran a virtual sewing education program for youths aged 8-17 who wanted to learn to sew and donate masks to our community. We lent out sewing machines, provided fabric and sewing notions, and made tutorials and held google meets. We were even able to provide income for two of our low income teens through Workforce NY. Our young volunteers ended up donating almost 200 masks.
Although our program has ended for now as our students head back to traditional school, we may have another program soon.
So much thanks to Sew Green, Quilter's Corner, and all the individuals who donated to make this program a success!
