DOVER – Two Dover women are rallying the Seacoast to make protective masks to help meet the need at area hospitals.

Javi Kalback and Linda Austin came up with an idea, started a Facebook group and 24 hours later had more than 200 volunteers saying they wanted to get involved.

"Linda posted something Friday night about wanting to do this," said Kalback. "I said I wanted to help and asked her how she was getting materials. She said, ’Give me your address and I will bring you some.’ She did. I decided to start a Facebook group, Seacoast Mask Makers, and it just exploded. Within hours, I had dozens of volunteers."

Austin said she was listening to the news and heard the mayor of New York City talk about the desperate needs for protective equipment, including masks.

"I knew we were in trouble and I knew this was something we could help with," said Austin. "I put out a call on the Dover Facebook page, looking for crafters, for people willing to sew masks. By the next morning, 30 pounds of fabric was delivered to my home by a woman who used to quilt but doesn’t any longer. I bought some fabric. On Saturday, Pintuck & Purl of North Hampton donated 30 yards of fabric."

Kalback calls Austin the supply fairy, saying she is getting donations and organizing distribution of the materials.

"I delivered six yards of fabric on Saturday," said Austin. "I did eight loads of laundry to make sure fabric is clean. I made 37 masks already."

"All day she is picking up donations," said Kalback. "So many people want to get involved. If you make 10 masks or 100, it is making a difference. People can do this as a family or do it on their own. Anyone can do it. It is not hard, and we have announcements, pictures, patterns and tutorials on our page. If you can’t sew, you can iron, or cut out materials to be sewn."

Kalback said they are washing the masks they get, and the hospitals will take care of the sanitizing process.

"We have spoken to Wentworth-Douglass (Hospital) and will give them masks," said Kalback. "We are hearing from other area hospitals who are interested in what we’re doing."

Dawn Fernald, spokesperson for Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, said Seacoast Mask Makers is one of several community groups offering to help. She said the hospital will accept the masks and hold them until they are needed.

"At the moment, we are OK with masks, but who knows for the future?" Fernald said. "It’s a wonderful thing they are doing."

Elastic for the masks is proving hard to come by. Austin said they need one-eighth or one quarter inch elastic.

"Overstock.com had some and I ordered from there," said Austin. "In the meantime, we are using bias tape. It works for tie-backs, but elastic is better."

Anyone who wants to donate supplies or is making masks can deliver them to Austin’s house at 3 Pearson Drive in Dover.

"There is a box at my side door for masks, in clean plastic bags," said Austin. "There are two separate boxes by the garage for donations of supplies. I prefer the fabric be washed, but one box is for items I need to clean. I understand some people might not be able to get out to a laundry to clean the fabric and I will take care of it."

Donations of completed masks can also be dropped off at the front entrance of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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