Brother International Donates Sewing Machines To The Mask Squad

Press release from Brother International Corporation:

June 29, 2020

BRIDGEWATER, NJ- Brother International Corporation recently donated 10 new Brother sewing machines to The Mask Squad of Somerset County. The donations were made to honor and recognize the group for its’ volunteer service of making thousands of masks for the community since the COVID-19 Pandemic began and to support future mask making efforts.

Brother has donated several sewing machines to volunteer mask making organizations around the country to re-supply them fresh new tools to aid in their effort to keep everyone safer.

Brother launched this initiative to recognize, honor and support the efforts of volunteers in communities across the US as they utilize their craft skills to create much needed masks to protect local health care workers, first responders and community groups against COVID-19. In some cases, the company has heard of volunteers who are working with older sewing machines or ones that have broken down.

The machines were distributed to Mask Squad of Somerset County volunteer members Ginny Alpizar, Gloria Bower, Kellyann Gallagher, Tom Hanlon, Kelly Mumber, Meena Shankar and Judy Streger.

“We are grateful to Brother International for recognizing our value to the community and our commitment to providing masks to medical professionals, essential workers, immunocompromised individuals and the public at large,” said Mask Squad Representative Elissa Muller. “The Mask Squad has already built a highly organized operation from the ground up that includes manufacturing, distribution and complex supply chains – all out of our members’ homes. These machines will increase our productivity and enable us to continue innovating to provide new and better protective equipment.

The Mask Squad of Somerset County is made up of hundreds of volunteer members that have sewn thousands of masks for hospitals, medical workers and the community since the pandemic began. As of early June, the organization reports it has provided over 18,000 pieces of protective gear including nearly 15,000 masks to people in the Somerset County NJ area and across the country.

Among the community groups the Mask Squad created masks for and donated to were the South Bound Brook Police Department and the South Bound Brook Fire Department.

This press release was produced by Brother International Corporation. The views expressed here are the author's own.