Volunteer Profile: Maskateers

“Your life is worth my time.”

That’s the motto of mask-makers across the country.  That’s the reason that in just two weeks, a band of volunteer seamsters has been able to supply over 1,000 homemade masks–enough for every COTS shelter resident and staff member as well as staff and clients of many more local organizations.

And they’re not stopping there.  The April 17 order obliging the use of masks created an even bigger need.

“The Maskateers” began work on April 7, when retired SRJC administrator KC Greaney posted on Facebook asking for volunteers.

She was quickly answered by Kaye Burfoot, a Petaluma High grad, who quickly ran up two dozen colorful, many-layered masks.

KC, together with organizer Russ Powell, recruited over 20 more women to cut and sew in their homes. They share fabrics, patterns and materials. One-by-one, they drop their creations on KC’s front porch. She then launders and packages them for pick-up.

“Gazing around at our shelter clients, each one protected and cared for by this group of generous and talented local citizens has been one of my true joys during this turbulent time,” says COTS Director of Programs Jules Pelican.  “We extend tremendous thanks to KC Greaney who has headed up this effort and to the entire group for their generosity of heart.” KC was just named “Hero of the Week” by Marin’s Partnership Resources Group.

Making a mask can take from 30 to 60 minutes, Kaye says. Masks for the children in our programs can take even longer. We estimate our seamsters have collectively contributed somewhere between 450 and 900 hours to the effort.

Who are they and why do they do this work?

At 19, Kaye is one of the youngest. She’s a novelist, 500-pages into a fantasy about an unjustly deposed king who travels his kingdom incognito, helping his subjects wherever he can. Kaye works for a wholesale florist. Like many, her hours have been cut, and she wanted to do something good with her extra time. She’s been active in the Sunrise movement, which combats climate change, so she knows the impact and importance of activism. “I wanted to find something I could do to help,”’ she says. “And I had all this extra fabric. Once I got through it all and I got connected, they sent me more fabric and supplies.”

Except for Russ, the group is completely female. And completely impressive! There are academics, scientists, artists and musicians, legal professionals, administrators, medical professionals, researchers, costumers and quilters.

Studies indicate that the use of masks reduces the risks of virus transmission.  “I want to give back to healthcare workers who risk their lives every day to care for us,” one seamster said. “More specifically, I want to give back to my community—and there aren’t very many opportunities to do that right now.”

Many of the volunteers have never met each in person, but they have a lively back-and-forth through email and social media and will no doubt enjoy wonderful get-togethers when the shelter in place order is lifted.

On behalf of COTS and all the other organizations receiving these volunteer-crafted masks: thank you, Masketeers!