The Power of Girls: Local Girl Scout Troop Makes Fabric Masks for Trinity Free Clinic Pediatric Patients
There is a lot of confusion and worry in the world today. COVID-19, politics and the election, job loss and a difficult job market . . . the list goes on of all the things we are all worried about. Sometimes it seems like all the news is bad, and there just isn’t anything you can do about it.
Fortunately, there are always those among us that see a problem and are eager to find a way to make a difference. We would like to introduce to you Erin Kong of Girl Scout Troop 83. A few months ago, Erin contacted Trinity Free Clinic looking for a way she could work with our organization to create impact for our patients. It turned out that Erin was precisely the young lady we had been waiting to meet!
Our volunteer nurses had noticed that when our pediatric patients came in for well child visits, they often didn’t have masks that fit their little faces. They often had to twist the ear loop to try to make masks fit. Erin eagerly agreed to make masks to fill this very particular need for our tiniest patients.
However, this project presented a special challenge for Erin . . . she didn’t know how to sew! Her family purchased a sewing machine, and Erin and her mother learned how to sew and made several practice masks before moving into full production.
Erin’s project also brings attention to a larger environmental situation that we will be coping with long after we’ve found a way to control the spread of coronavirus. According to Erin, “My project revolved around the fact that COVID-19 has led to large amounts of medical waste ending up in landfills, streets, and oceans which have in turn hurt animals as well as caused pollution. By making reusable masks, I was trying to show that a simple act can have a huge impact and that everyone else can partake in this too since it is not hard.”
She continues, “To spread more awareness I held a video conference with my troop members to teach them how to make their own reusable masks and discussed this issue with them. I wanted people to know that the simple things we do can lead to changes and make a positive difference in our communities.” When the rest of Cadet Girl Scout Troop 83 found out what Erin was working on, they volunteered to help as well.
Now, thanks to Erin and her friends, 108 patients will leave their well-child or vaccination visit not only with a mask that fits, but one that they will be able to wash and use over and over again. Erin is a shining example of how anyone can see a huge problem, even one as big as a global pandemic, and find a way to make a significant impact in your own way. Congratulations to Carmel High School Freshman, Erin Kong, who completed this project in pursuit of her Silver Award, the highest award Girl Scouts of America offers to girls of her age. We anticipate great things ahead for you!
