In this time of COVID-19, skills like sewing, perhaps once thought to be old-fashioned and quaint, now are at the forefront as hero tools. St. Cloud Area School District 742 students have been making masks to donate to emergency medical workers, but now staff members are joining the call to assist their essential-worker colleagues.
Human resource specialist and “seamstress extraordinaire,” Diane Thole, has stepped up to coordinate a mask-making drive for district essential staff, such as nutritional workers and bus drivers, working the front line to support students and families.
“I was actually thinking of doing them [myself],” says Thole.
Enter Executive Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations Tracy Bowe who sent the call out for additional help: “In an effort to support our staff who are continuing to work on site and to interact with the public, we are organizing a ‘mask making drive.’ If sewing is your secret power and you have a sewing machine at home, we are seeking 20 volunteers to help us make masks.”
Over the weekend, Thole and Bowe took a trip to JoAnn Fabrics to make all the preparations. Materials were purchased, kits were created and instructions prepared for employees to pick up. Each kit included four spools of ribbon, a spool of thread and a chunk of fabric. The kits produce approximately 12-15 masks.
“We had 20 kits made up and more people want them,” says Thole. “It’s been a really great program and people have been really generous.”
In an amazing turnout, over 250 masks were sewn for district staff to wear. More than 25 employees participated in the sewing drive.
“People are asking for the pattern because they already have fabric at home,” shares Thole. “It’s been awesome how much people want to help.”
These talented district staff members have become unexpected heroes, ensuring fellow colleagues are safe while they serve the St. Cloud community during challenging times.
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