UW-Stevens Point alumni, friends, join together to fight the spread of COVID-19
4/21/2020

​Family and Consumer Sciences student Kelsey Newman
took part in mask making on the Pointer Day of Sewing,
helping supply community members with masks to protect
from COVID-19.

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point alumni, students and community members stitched together Monday to help fight the spread of COVID-19 with sewing machines, fabric and lots of helping hands

The Pointer Day of Sewing, a day of service coordinated by UW-Stevens Point's Alumni Affairs office, featured virtual gatherings to teach adults and children how to sew cloth face masks in partnership with the "Sew Together for Covid-19" Facebook group led by alumna Kelly Van Laanen, '99, of Plover.

The UW-Stevens Point community came together from across the nation, representing California, Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin. After 12 hours on Facebook, there were:

                      • More than 600 masks/materials sewn and cut
                      • More than 40 people in the group photo
                      • More than 5,000 views of the live videos
                      • Hundreds of interactions throughout the day
Several students in the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program also took part in the event, learning about textile construction and sewing as part of their coursework. These students have been sewing masks over the past few weeks, assisting with protecting people in their own communities, said Assistant Professor Susan Turgeson.

"Family and consumer sciences prepares students with skills for life, and in this case, life-saving skills," she said.

Colorado alumna and former Alumni Board president Tamara Moore, '92, said she was drawn to the event because it reminded her of how women from different generations used to come together to sew and quilt and build community.

"One of the most influential communities I've experiences has been the Pointer family," she said. "I decided to participate from Colorado to connect through this shared experience and to give back to those who are serving at this critical time."   

Van Laanen, her two daughters and her mom had begun making masks in March to distribute to health care facilities. As interest in helping with the effort grew, she decided to become a facilitator for the community to get volunteers donated fabric and sewing supplies and distribute completed masks. After the Facebook page was created, more donations poured in from both individuals and businesses, and now more than 100 community volunteer sewers and cutters are helping create masks.

The porch at Van Laanen's house has turned into a supply and mask collection center. Completed masks are delivered to hospitals, nursing homes, school districts, CAP Services and other locations where they are needed most. All masks are donated at no cost.
 

"We have a great team. This provides a sense of community for all of us who are missing our friends, or school," she said. "It also helps those who are struggling during this time, as it improves mental health. Helping others is invigorating."
 

To help or learn more about "Sew Together for Covid-19" go to www.facebook.com/sewtogethercovid19/. To join in future Pointer Days of Service, email alumni@uwsp.edu.

 

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Article Tags

Alumni; Healthy