East Providence Seniors Make Masks For Nursing Home Staff

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — A group of 15 East Providence seniors have worked throughout the recent months to benefit local organizations in need of face masks, and recently two of the women combined to produce 65 cloth face masks for donation to Linn Health & Rehabilitation.

Aldersbridge Communities, the nonprofit parent organization of Linn Health, told Age-Friendly RI of the ongoing need for masks, and the coalition responded with the donation.

"We secured donated fabric from Ocean State Job Lot, reached out to the Senior Center, and were so pleased to learn of the sewing group," said Catherine Taylor, executive director of Age-Friendly RI. "We were able to connect Aldersbridge's need together with both the supplies and volunteers to get this accomplished."

Senior Center receptionist Patricia Thomas organized the effort for Linn Health. The women have created more than 500 masks for local organizations since the start of the coronavirus health crisis.

The women work from home, and used their own machines, thread and scissors to cut, pleat and stitch the fabric, and affix elastic and ribbon ear loops. Marie Cabral and Genoveve Rocha created the masks for Linn Rehabilitation.

The rest of the sewing team members are: Lee Mouria, Margaret Phillips, Deb Rochford, Denise Danko, Gabrielle Barroso, Mangala Gunaratne, Nancy Sisti, Maureen Nolan, Leslie Willis, Betty Vieiros, Cathy V. Baker, Cindy DeMedeiros and Norma Faria.

East Providence Mayor Roberto DaSilva and Aldersbridge Richard Gamache presented a certificate of appreciation to Cabral and Rocha.

"The masks will also be used by our staff at our Winslow Gardens assisted living community, which is adjacent to our nursing home," said Gamache, an East Providence resident. "The residents in our care, our staff, their families and our entire community thank you for doing your part and sharing your vocational skills to keep others safe during this coronavirus pandemic."