The Mighty Mask Brigade of Durham North Carolina was a wonderful volunteer effort, led by Audrey Green.
Together, and in 9 months, we have produced and donated....
25,057 masks !!!!!!!
It has taken a mighty army of sewists, fabric washers, fabric and cord cutters, distributors, donors, planners and more to make this happen. Congratulations! Together, we have helped those who needed it most and, undoubtedly, we helped protect the health, if not the lives, of many.
There is no way to thank everyone - we became a mighty team of nearly 200 by the end.
-Audrey
...in any case, this is an inspiring story of volunteers jumping into action!
Lori Pistor and Audrey Green & 900 masks!
Audrey Started It!
Audrey Green began this volunteer effort on March 16, 2020 with just a few ERUUF friends and it quickly mushroomed into a huge team we call the Mighty Mask Brigade. The Brigade wound down and ended by early December 2020.
By the end there were 200 volunteers in total. About 40 of them are ERUUF members. We averaged 150 masks per day.
I volunteered first by sewing, then by being the fabric buyer and making this web page. Making masks is so satisfying and calming to me by doing something tangible to help.
Now that the Mask Brigade has ended, I continue to make masks and sell them at my website,
-Susan Baylies
Lori and Audrey
in Dudley NC
delivering masks to farmworkers.
Susan Baylies
I joined the team in Mid-April and cranked up my rarely used 55 year old sewing machine.
It's been fun!
Total to date STATS:
Together, and in 9 months, we have produced and donated....
Final Tally: 25,057 masks !!!!!!!
Sept 4- 17,091 masks
August 15- a new milestone: 15,000 masks! How did that happen? Almost 5 months ago, we began... a few volunteers, a few masks... and as of today? with 176 people, we certainly have earned the "MIGHTY" in "Mighty Mask Brigade"!
August 9- 14,285 masks
July 17- 12,716 masks
June 25- We made the 10,000th mask!!!
June 19- 9571 masks
June 12- 8786 masks
May 29- 7264 masks - Incredible!
May 3- 3501 masks
Some of our recipients:
Center for Child and Family Health in Durham, Masks4farmersNC, Meals on Wheels, Duke University LatinX Outreach, El Futuro, Durham Housing Authority residents, NC Prison in Troy, NC, LatinX construction workers, NC Farmworkers Project, Benson County, VecinosL Jackson and Western Counties, Lincoln Community Health: 300, El Centro Hispano: 300, Immaculate Conception, LatinX outreach: 130, Mutual Aid of North Durham: 20, El Superior market for distribution: 100, Orange County low income housing: 100, Chapel Hill Interfaith Council: 30.
Here is the last batch of masks given away.
How to Sew It
I made this Youtube video to show how easy it is to sew these things. A lot of people have watched it, so I hope I have multiplied my efforts
- Susan
How to Wear It
and this shorter one to show the best way to wear it for a good fit.
100% Cotton Dual Layer Mask with Filter Pocket
Most of these masks have cotton cording. Some have nylon (N) They are all washable. Most have white or light color for the inside layer. The two layers are open at sides so you can slide in any filter for extra protection. An olyfun filter will be included with your order. Even without a filter, tight weave, dual layer cotton masks that fit well are more effective than many other choices out there.
About size: The cords are long enough to reach around different head sizes and hair styles.
These are a few samples of the masks we made.
1.Green Blooms S
2. Yellow lines batik M
3.Circles M
The origami style for children's masks are made in three Youth sizes, S, M, and L.
When the folds are stretched open they fit over the face with some airspace around nose and mouth.