The London Mask Project

We desperately need your help so that we can help those persons who are desperate in these unfortunate times as we all face the Corona Virus threat.   We all know that wearing masks can help save lives, not only for the wearer but also for those that the wearer comes into contact with.  But not everyone can get their own mask.  Homeless people, abused women, families that were already in desperate circumstances relying on food banks and many other people in other unfortunate situations represent some of the most vulnerable in society.  Realistically, these people are not able to acquire masks for themselves.  And by helping them, we all benefit, as we help to contain the virus spread.

So far, we (over 60 persons sewing!) have supplied hundreds of masks (examples include 150 to "My Sisters Place" with another 150 to shortly be delivered and 100 to the Men's Mission, and many to the London Food Bank, with more to follow) but the need is great.  Until now, we have been self funding but the costs are rising as the materials are growing scarce (since mask-making materials are now in high demand).  To give just one example: in addition to the normal fabric masks for the vulnerable, we are also working to create special steri-wrap masks for our community front-line workers and these require the ability to be re-used and, therefore, to be sterilized; we can currently acquire the bias tape required for these mask ties  at $33.60 for a 60m roll, and in order to fulfill our current goal of 1500 masks, we require 45 rolls of tape.  So, the tape alone, with HST, is $1708!

We need to purchase the fabrics, interface, elastic and ties, but we can't continue to produce masks and hope to meet the demand without your help.  With your help we will not only provide masks to those facing unfortunate circumstances, but we will also be providing help and comfort, as well as helping to protect all of us, the community at large.  We can't thank you enough for whatever help you can give, large or small.  If you have material, elastic or any other supplies you can donate, or you'd like to join our group and can sew, help deliver masks or help in any way, we would be very grateful to hear from you (just use the "Contact" button below to get in touch). 

And if you can donate (and you live in London, Ontario so we can deliver, or near to London so you can pick up), we will show our appreciation by providing you with masks, four for donations of $50 or more, five for $75 or more and six masks for $100 or more.  These are high-quality pleated masks with two layers of fabric with either elastic loops or fabric ties.  And we don't think this will happen, but if we ever find ourselves in a position where we have raised funds but are unable to continue because supplies can no longer be located, we will donate the funds to the London Food Bank.

We all need to do our part in these very difficult times.  Thank you.