The young women at Ridgeview Community Facility in Yakima have generously sewn nearly 200 masks for their neighbors in need. The masks are in particularly high demand at a local nursing home heavily impacted by the COVID-19 virus.
“We just took over and dropped off masks for them outside. They called and asked us to make them more,” said Ridgeview Administrator LeeAnn Delk.
The project started when schools closed. Ridgeview staff needed activities to continue enriching the lives of their young residents.
“Part of what we wanted for them was to learn something every day – change a tire, check tire pressure, learn to sew – and we happen to have two sewing machines here,” said LeeAnn. “One of our staff is a quilter and donated the fabric, and off we went!”
Nineteen-year-old Lizzy naturally stepped into the role of organizer for this endeavor. She plans the number of masks to be made, how much material is needed and prepares everything for a “seamless” process from beginning to end.
“It makes me feel good because this whole crisis hits home. I have asthma and I’m more at risk, and they have precautions so I’m safe here. But out there the people don’t have the same protection. I feel like I’m saving the world,” said Lizzy smiling to herself. “I like that – ‘Lizzy saving the world.’”
In addition to the nursing home, Ridgeview has sent masks to all of the Eastern Washington Juvenile Rehabilitation community facilities and parole offices and will start sending masks to western community facilities soon.
“The girls have been amazing through this entire process. They are just working so hard and are so committed. They are going above and beyond,” said LeeAnn.
Thank you to the dedicated youth and staff at Ridgeview for doing this incredible work, for uplifting the spirits of so many and for helping protect our most vulnerable community members!