Students and friends of the Marshall University School of Theatre have been making masks and distributing them to local communities in Cabell, Wayne, Putnam, Mason and Kanawha counties. More than 650 masks have been distributed to date, under the leadership of Olivia Trees, MU Theatre costumer, who selected materials from stock.
Participants in the project include Ali Fletcher, Wanda Martin, Janie Mason, Kinsey Mason, Emily O’Neal, Alyssa Poindexter, Ashton Webb and Kendra Williams. In addition to the seamstresses, Jamez Morris-Smith and Sam Kincaid have helped to distribute masks to more than 15 places scattered across the region.
The masks are not designed to be used in medical environments, but do meet guidelines by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for use in crisis response environments, said Mike Murphy, a professor of design technology in the School of Theatre.
“As theatre folks, we’re used to working with others to produce shows for the public,” Murphy said. “This is a way for our students to continue working together to provide for public needs in the challenging times. The masks will provide a layer of protection for people who are required to go out to get essential supplies.”
Among the recipients of the masks are:
- Cabell Huntington Hospital Volunteer Services
- Family Practice Pharmacy
- Huntington Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Kanawha Place Assisted Living Facility
- Main Street Baptist Church
- Marshall Family Medicine
- Mildred Mitchell Bateman Hospital
- Presbyterian Manor
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Postal workers and UPS drivers
- Employees and customers at providers of “essential services,” such as grocery stores and gas stations.
Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre honorary fraternity, has also made masks available by mail.
For more information, contact Murphy at mike.murphy@marshall.edu or 304-696-2517.
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Photo: Marshall University student Ali Fletcher sews a mask as part of an effort in the School of Theatre to help with crisis response.