New Organization Forms Mask Making Assembly Line For OKC Homeless Alliance

Oklahomans are coming together to protect people who care for the homeless. A new organization, 405 Mask Makers, has created a mask-making assembly line across Oklahoma City. "Were not going to be perfect with this finished project, but its gonna be usefu

Monday, March 30th 2020, 2:25 am

By: Ashley Holden

New Organization Forms Mask Making Assembly Line For OKC Homeless Alliance

Oklahomans are coming together to protect people who care for the homeless.

A new organization, 405 Mask Makers, has created a mask-making assembly line across Oklahoma City.

"Were not going to be perfect with this finished project, but its gonna be useful," said Danielle Coats from her OKC dining room.

"I'm a math teacher at Bishop McGuinness High School," said Coats.

Coats, a math teacher at Bishop McGuinnes High School said her sewing machine has been under a cover for the last five years. Now in between planning lessons and teaching from home, you can find her at her home sewing masks.

"I got an email from a neighbor/friend who said hey some people are getting together to make some masks," she said.

Next thing she knew she said there was a bag of materials at her door. Through a simple email Coats became a volunteer for 405 Mask Makers.

The local teacher said it's a way she can contribute from home and not feel helpless.

"We've got our first goal here to make 1,500 masks," explained another volunteer Regina Banks.

Banks decided to help after friends also contacted her and asked if she could help make their website.

"There's another set of providers that serve the homeless community who really are our most vulnerable right now and really get left out," said Banks.

Those people on the front lines at the Homeless Alliance will get the masks made by the "makers" or 405 Mask Maker volunteers.

"They are out of masks they are in desperate need of protective equipment," said Banks.

She said they already have dozens of volunteers, but they need more.

If someone wants to help but doesn't sew, Banks wants people to know they can simply donate supplies. The organization is looking for sheets and fabric that are 100 percent cotton and dense. The fabric can even be used, like an old sheet.

But the organization said they also needs people to help deliver supplies, drop-off and pick-up material at different points in the process and even to cut fabric.

Volunteers are hoping if enough people help, they can expand their goal.

"If were able to meet the goal with the Homeless Alliance, we can then get more masks even to our front line health care providers even citizens," said Banks.

For those interested in getting involved, head to 405 Mask Makers official website.

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