#InThisTogether: 05 OCT 2020

With everything going on during the COVID-19 crisis, we wanted to share some of the stories about what Cook people are doing during this difficult time. All around the Cook world, we are #InThisTogether, and we would love to hear stories about how you and your coworkers are stepping up to make a difference. If you have a story to share, please email us at BlogEditor@CookMedical.com.

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An army of good doers

By Alexandria Stanfield, an Editorial Content generalist in the Corporate Marketing and Communications department.

With sewing machines stitching and 3D printers building, Cook Winston-Salem’s Stephanie Rivera, Theresa Forshey, and Tom Fleck have been even busier than usual. By combining their creative and technical skills, they have helped support the local mask-making efforts in a big way.

Coming together for a worthy cause

In her personal time, Stephanie has sewn over 100 masks for the community, and Theresa and Tom have 3D printed countless ear protectors (devices that make wearing a mask with elastic strips more comfortable) for essential workers.

A few days after Stephanie’s neighbor started Project Mask WS, Stephanie, an Endoscopy team lead and Sustaining engineer at Cook Winston-Salem, was on board and working to make masks for the community. She then noticed a post Theresa had made on social media. Theresa, a Quality engineer, was looking for a way to help local essential workers and had the idea that her 3D printer might be of service.

“I wanted to find a way to help out the community in these unique times,” Theresa explained.

Connecting with the community

With a few ideas and conversations shared between the ladies, Theresa was plugged into the mask making group. Shortly after, she approached Tom, a senior Design Assurance engineer, who quickly began aiding the efforts with the help of his 3D printer as well.

“It means a lot to me to be able to help,” Tom said. “Since I’m at a high risk, I can’t go out and do anything. This was something I could do at home.”

“And for me, working from home, sometimes it feels like there is nobody else in the world. But helping with this, it makes me feel like I am connected with the community,” he continued.

An ever-growing amount of support

In the following weeks, the group continued to grow as new members came together to help in whatever ways they could. They quickly evolved from a few people sewing masks into a small army of fabric washers and cutters, mask sewers, and 3D printer contributors.

With all of their hard work and help, Project Mask WS has been able to continually support their community during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an ever-growing number of masks and ear protectors to local health care providers, as well as to other essential employees.

“It’s been an honor to be part of the 1,000 plus volunteers that have helped create over 60,000 masks over the last several weeks,” Stephanie said.

More information

To learn more about Project Mask WS, you can check out their Facebook page by clicking here.

To read more about how Project Mask WS got started, you can read “Making Masks: Community comes together to help flatten the curve,” an article from the Winston-Salem Journal by clicking here.

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