SUNDERLAND — Parents and guardians of Sunderland Elementary School students won’t have to worry about getting face masks for their children upon their return to in-person instruction, thanks to the generosity of the Sunderland Women’s Club.
The club donated 336 fabric masks of all different fabrics, sizes and designs to the school last week. An additional 145 disposable surgical masks were also donated.
“The generosity of local businesses and organizations within our community is on constant display at all times,” said Sunderland Elementary School Principal Ben Barshefsky. “This is just another example of that.”
Although the club is largely for the social and intellectual benefit of its members, there’s also a community service element, according to Co-President Barbara Sabol.
“We keep our ears open for the need,” she said.
So, when a member of the club who had attended one of the Union 38 Regional School District School Committee’s reopening plan meetings said there was a need for student masks, the club found a way to address that need.
An email proposing a mask-making project was sent to the 70 members of the Sunderland Women’s Club, and the idea took off from there, according to Debby Childs, who coordinated the project.
“We sent out an email that said, ‘It’s for the kids,’ and that got them going,” Childs said.
Some sewed masks, while others donated materials and money toward the effort, Sabol added.
The masks will be distributed to students on their first day of in-person instruction, Barshefsky said.
“When students return mid-September,” Barshefsky said, “they will absolutely be looking sharp.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. Twitter: @MaryEByrne