One woman was set to be making people laugh across the United States before COVID-19 broke out. Now, she’s making them safer.
Performer Kristina Wong was about to tour the United States with her comedy show when the novel coronavirus led to a big change in plans. No longer able to perform, she decided that she would keep herself busy another way.
Wong, a hands-on performer who makes her own props for her show, had some extra fabric at home. She knew enough about sewing to use a sewing machine. She decided to make masks.
On March 20th, she produced her first mask. She wrote a post on Facebook that led to hundreds of responses:
When there were more requests than hours in the day, Wong assembled a team: the now 800-sewer strong “Auntie Sewing Squad”. As of the end of June, the team has the production and distribution of upwards of 55,000 masks under its belt.
Navajo and Hopi Families Covid-19 Relief volunteer Theresa Hatathlie spoke to CNN about how the Auntie Sewing Squad affected her community: “The Auntie Squad has really given us so much. Not just the masks, but we received sewing machines, diapers, baby wipes, laundry supplies and sanitizers.”
And what did they do with those sewing machines? They produced about 40,000 masks of their own.
Hatathlie also shared a Navajo teaching—one that the members of the Auntie Sewing Squad seem to be familiar with, and one that we should all keep in mind in during these difficult times:
For me personally, in our Navajo culture, we have a teaching that if you are able to help, you shouldn’t have to be asked.
Theresa Hatathlie
The Auntie Sewing Squad is currently offering a virtual summer camp for kids where they can learn how to sew masks. The four-week camp is free, but donations to the squad are appreciated.
The members of the squad—the “aunties”—continue to sew masks from all corners of the United States.
Article source: CNN
Featured image source: Auntie Sewing Squad
