ACEnet client Tina of Tina Tiaras making masks
Local partnerships in time of crisis: We want to celebrate local people creating local solutions. ACEnet always appreciates the power of networks, especially in these challenging times. A great example of a mobilized network is Passion Works Studio. Over the past few weeks they have pivoted to making face masks in collaboration with other community partners. Passion Works Studio Director, Patty Mitchell explains, “our concentration is constructing for front-line healthcare workers, nursing homes and the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities.” The masks will be sanitized before use.
Many partners are helping Passion Works Studio gear up as they manufacture masks.
Zonez is cutting material supplied by local dentist, Tim Lavelle, and the sewing team is sewing with both cotton and medical grade fabrics!
Passion Works founder & Executive Director, Patty Mitchell
Hocking Valley Bank supported the effort early in the process. During a COVID-19 Dress Down Day, HVB matched contributions from their employees and directors, totaling a $3,700 donation towards Passion Works’ face mask project.
Ohio University CoLab hosts weekly “Make and Take” themed programming. With the suspension of all events on OU’s Campus, CoLab was still wanting to provide meaningful programming to the Athens community. Matt Thomson, Program Manager for CoLab reached out to Patty Mitchell, Founder & Executive Director of Passion Works Studio, to see if he could assist with anything for the Passion Works Studio face mask project. CoLab has a fully functional Makerspace and some funding for materials & has assisted with the purchasing of supplies, cutting of material, and distribution of supplies to a network of Athens Makers, all of which are aiding in the effort of supplying our local community with much needed face masks.
Local resident Nancy Schell
Athens City-County Health Department has been key in providing encouragement, with distribution and communication led by Athens resident Nancy Schell. And so many home sewers, quilting groups and fiber folks have laundered and donated fabrics to keep production humming.
There are many ways to help and keep production moving. Fabric can be dropped off to 136 N. Congress St. Athens. Donation checks can also be made to: Passion Works Studio (Masks in the memo) and mail to 136 N. Congress St. Athens, OH 45701 or the Go Fund Me Page: https://tinyurl.com/PWmasks
Questions concerning donations to: susan@passionworks.org or Patty Mitchell 740-590-8512.
Community Update by ACEnet Director of Programs, Leslie Schaller
