Mask Mavens Of Huntington: Sewing Hundreds Of Free Masks Daily

HUNTINGTON, NY — The coronavirus pandemic has forced people of all walks of life to step up and find different ways to contribute towards helping those in need. One group has worked to aid those who are helping others: the Mask Mavens of Huntington, a collective of 40 women who sow, gather materials for and deliver hundreds of free masks every day.

Of the team, about nine members each sew anywhere from 30 to 50 masks daily, with one having recruited her family to help her make 100. Some women cut materials, while others act as "errand runners" who pick-up and distribute masks, as well as provide sewers with the materials they need. The system culminates in much-needed masks being shipped to hospitals, organizations, group homes, retail stores and churches not only statewide, but nationwide. And anyone who would like a mask can request one by filling out this form. Masks are created on a first-come, first-serve basis with essential workers and their families being the priority.

"We’re running a factory out of 40 different houses," Mary Beth Steenson-Kraese, the founder of Mask Mavens, told Patch. "It’s crazy. It’s insane that this is even happening."

Steenson-Kraese got the idea by watching the news and seeing Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President Donald Trump call for people to wear masks, even if they were homemade coverings, she said. Also, her nurse friends told her they would reuse the same masks for a week at a time, she said.

"I’m a volunteer EMS provider; you’re supposed to wear the mask once for every patient," Steenson-Kraese said. "[Nurses are] wearing masks weeks at a time."

Steenson-Kraese was gifted a sewing machine a couple of Christmas seasons ago, but never opened it as the device intimidated her. The coronavirus motivated her to finally unseal the machine on March 14. A week later, she had made a handful of masks for her family members and nurse friends. She posted a photo on Facebook. Next thing she knew, the post blew up and a lot of requests came in. The Mask Mavens of Huntington group grew from there, and over 10,000 masks have been donated in a nine-week period.

Catherine Ward-Galli became the right-hand woman of Steenson-Kraese from there. She created a Google doc and spreadsheet to keep track of mask orders, and personalizes each order with a brown paper bag and thank you-note.

While masks are free, Steenson-Kraese encourages people to donate to keep the operation functioning. Donations can be made on Venmo to MaryBeth68.