SWFL neighbors sew face masks together at social distance for health workers

A Southwest Florida woman is doing her best to keep everyone healthy.

When Rosemary Meek learned about the protective mask shortage, she decided to lend a hand. So she used the internet for research and taught herself to make them.

“I never thought that my home-sewing skills would ever be of help through something like this,” Meek said.

Meek answered the call to make face masks for health care workers in need.

“It’s the least I can do,” Meek said. “I’m safe at home in my house.”

Meek realized others wanted to help but only had sewing machines, not fabric. So she started cutting fabric and making mask kits, complete with a tutorial she found on YouTube, for her Hampton Park neighbors to make some as well — all while social distancing.

How it works: Meek will put the precut fabric in a bag and leave it on the table on her front porch. Then one of the neighborhood sewers will pick up the bag with their name on it, go home and sew the masks together. Then, they’ll drop the bag back on the table for Meek to collect.”

“Our number one thing is to help our health care workers, who are to me are just amazing heroes from what they are doing,” Meek said.

Meek and her neighbors began the home operation about a week ago. Meek estimates they’ve put together about 150 masks. Some of the neighborhood sewers have also made thank you cards to go with the masks. Meek plans to take all of the masks they’ve finished so far to one of the local hospitals.

“I will keep cutting as long as I have sewers who are willing to make them,” Meek said.