Once COVID-19 was detected in Colorado, former Mayor Nancy McNally knew action was needed to help fight against the virus. McNally was contacted by Tri-City Food Bank to make 75 face mask coverings for people assisting at the local food banks.  She reached out to her sewing friends all over and at Above and Beyond Sewing and Vacuum, to help fill the request so workers could utilize the masks as soon as possible.

McNally didn’t know, however, that the demand for face masks would grow well beyond 75 masks. After helping Tri-City Food Bank, she was asked to make masks for other local food banks, essential workers, immune-compromised individuals and anyone asking for her help to make a face masks.

The number of people helping increase to 13 with the group having created over 1,200 face masks as of mid-May with McNally doing about 800 herself. The city’s Police Department received over 300 of the face masks.

The group has donated masks to the Tri-City Food Bank, Have a Heart Project and Hope House of Colorado.

Any individual or group that has called her to inquire has received a face mask at no charge. The demand and production has been so high that McNally only has Halloween, Christmas and velvet material left to make the masks.

The overall reaction from organizations and individuals has been one of gratitude and thankfulness. McNally has received extra fabric, elastic and various materials to help her and the group keep sewing masks.

“This all has been a community coming together in an unselfish way doing what needs to be done so people can work and feel a little bit safer,” said McNally.