We have multiple people on our nextdoor that are constantly posting that they will make masks for free. I have gotten. They also leave it in a basket on their porch, in a baggie with the person's name). I asked if I could pay and they said it was free.

I had thought about baking a cake or bread for them but with this crazy time I think that is not a good (timely ) option. I thought about either dropping off a bottle of wine to say thank you or maybe some store bought wrapped stuff. Haven't done it yet. Normally I would drop off a baked something but I think it might just get tossed.

Salvona, there is a post Mama_Goose wrote on another thread about how she made a mask for someone but the person won’t wear it. I think that by actually using the mask, you are showing just how much you appreciate it. :c)

Salonva buy some thread, or fabric, or a book of stamps and leave it in her basket... :)

Moni

Or elastic!

If you follow any of the suggestions above, please include a picture of yourself wearing the mask.....that would be the best gift of all!

I love Moni's suggestion and the excellent follow-up idea posted by bpath!

There is someone here who has made disposable masks for customers at a local grocery store. They put up a huge board outside the doors with little hooks in rows and hung the masks (which are in a plastic bag, so no one can touch mask other than buyer). Also, there is a nail salon in my little area who had a surplice of masks on hand and he donated a pretty large amount to some nearby medical facilities. He than also asked for any in the community who would be willing to sew cloth masks, he would pay so much for each mask and then donate those masks. Very generous!

I have ordered masks from a shop on Etsy, ReNew, several times. They are wonderful masks and priced less than others and ship free. Yesterday I messaged her to ask if she could make a kid's mask with a specific material she had. Not only was she agreeable, but she included it in my current order and will not charge me for it. There are very kind people in this world.

All of the masks I have been making were given away for free. I put out a request for fabric scraps and I got a big box of fabric. I washed all the fabric and have been using it. It gives me something to do when I can. I have gotten pictures of some of the recipients wearing the mask. I appreciate that.

I've also been making masks to give away. I've been using old sheets that I dye, tie dye style. Today, I decided to get a Covid antibody test - I had a strange lower respiratory illness in January after flying through a busy international airport. It probably wasn't Covid, but a local urgent care clinic is doing the antibody tests, so I thought that I may as well get tested.

I was a bit concerned because when I entered the building the receptionist had her mask on under her nose, then pulled it down farther to talk to a young woman who arrived just before me. We were the only two patients there. She and I were both wearing our cloth masks, and sitting about 12 feet apart.

The young woman asked me if my mask was hard to breathe through, and I told her that when I first put it on it seems a bit difficult, but then I get used to it. It was obvious that her cloth mask didn't fit well. She told me that she had bought several on ETSY, and that they were uncomfortable and scratchy. I told her that I had a bunch of masks in the car that I would be happy to give her, and that I'd wait for her after my blood test.

It turned out that her appt was over before mine, but she waited in the parking lot, and I was able to give her enough masks for her family. 😊

When I returned home I told my husband that I almost regretted going to the clinic, because I didn't feel entirely comfortable with their lax safety standards, but I was happy that I was able to supply a young family with masks, so maybe I had been in just the right place. 😊

Now I'll have to get back to my sewing machine to replenish my stock.

The moderator of our neighborhood facebook page has organized a list of people willing to run errands or pick up groceries for those who can't or shouldn't go out.

Another neighbor has organized a sewing group to make masks, and he is acting as the central point to drop off donations of fabric, filter material, elastic, and pipe cleaners or the twist ties that come on coffee bags (they are sturdy and wide, so make good nose pieces).

A third is using her 3D printer to make "hooks" for the mask elastic, that go around the back of the head and save pressure on the ears.

I’ve also been making masks and scrub caps for two hospitals where family members work. The masks are used by staff who are not in direct patient contact. 200+ masks and 150 caps. They were wearing anything they could find on their heads. And wearing masks all week. The lack of PPE in hospitals is unbelievable. One of the hospitals is a large well-known hospital in MA. The other a small hospital in CT.

I have made so many mask's I stopped counting at 800. I never charged for them, unless it was for a manufacturing facility. People are so kind and appreciative. I received baked goods, TP, wine, gift certificates, candy, lots of cards, free pizza and some donated for me to buy more supplies. I was very thankful I could make mask's for something to do. Or I would have lot my mind the first few weeks.