Our local hospital is challenging the community to sew 1,000 masks per week and we want to contribute! We are inviting you to contribute through a decluttering challenge—if you can find any of the items below that you are ready to part with, we will pick them up, wash them and convert them to fabric masks that can be used by visitors to the hospital, discharged patients, and the broader community.

MATERIALS NEEDED - RIPPED OR STAINED ITEMS CAN BE SALVAGED TO MAKE MASKS:

  • Fitted cotton sheets - for elastic and fabric

  • Flat cotton sheets - for fabric

  • Cotton shirts (tight-woven cotton is best)

  • Tea towels (tight-woven cotton)

  • Fabric ends/scraps (tight-woven cotton, at least 9” x 6”)

  • Clothes with 14” of elastic

QUICK DECLUTTERING CHALLENGE:

  1. Choose any of these categories to review: linens, tea towels, your clothes/kids clothes, craft/sewing supplies

  2. Scan through your chosen category to separate your frequently-used & enjoyed items from all the extras

  3. Ask yourself why you’re hanging onto all the extras and if you really need them:

    • Good reasons to keep them: you need it occasionally including for special occasions, you need a back-up when your go-to choice is in the wash, you are hanging onto it for your child to grow into (and you can confidently say they will need it). KEEP THESE WITH PURPOSE.

    • Good reasons to donate them: fabric is good but they lost their shape, are damaged, or no longer fit; you have more than you can possibly need; you have guilt about parting with gifts, sentimental items or things you paid good money for. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GIVE THEM NEW PURPOSE! CONTACT US NOW ABOUT SCHEDULING A CONTACTLESS PICK-UP.

  4. Give all your favourite items accessible and visible placement and store the extras—that you kept with intention—at the back, bottom or off to the side. If you notice you don’t really need them or would rather have the space, consider donating them at a later date.

This sample was hand-sewn using a torn shirt, and is good for essential shopping trips.

This sample was hand-sewn using a torn shirt, and is good for essential shopping trips.

We are forever grateful to Michael Garron Hospital for the care we received for our son Jack. He was born 7 weeks early and low birth weight so he spent weeks there in the NICU and we had to return a few times when he got sick and needed help breathing. Now Jack is a bright, strong and determined boy, nearly 5 years old, and the dedicated staff and other vulnerable patients are in our thoughts and hearts every day. Wishing safety, strength and health to all as the world fights COVID-19.