SAN ANGELO, Texas —
The Tom Green County local health authority is now recommending that all citizens wear face cloth coverings while out in public settings to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, there are not enough supplies or commercial brand masks available to keep up with the public's increasing demand. That's why the group "United We Stand, San Angelo" came into existence.
“Being a part of the group, we’re able to do so much more and reach so many more people," Christine Rojas, United We Stand, San Angelo, member said.
Prior to discovering United We Stand, San Angelo (which was just created March 24, 2020), Rojas was sewing masks and getting them delivered on her own. As a mother of two, a foster mother of one, wife of a firefighter, and a homeschool teacher, she doesn't have much free time.
"The kids are still asleep, I work on masks. The kids wake up, I take care of them, feed them breakfast and lunch, then I work on masks. I put the kids to bed, work on masks," she said.
Stories such as this, of course, were why United We Stand, San Angelo was created. Rather than spend extra time searching for materials, reaching out to people and organizations to see what they need, keeping track of addresses and deliveries, responsibilities can be divided throughout the group, and resources made more readily available.
“All of us are having a part in it. All of us are making masks, I’m donating fabric, we have someone who actually goes around town to pick up masks that other members have made, and he will go and deliver them. We have somebody else who gets all of the places together that needs masks and puts them in a chart so we know how many are needed and where they need to go," Rojas said.
The group follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines when creating the masks. They make them with 100% cotton, double-layered, and occasionally with pockets made for filters to be placed inside.
Rojas has made more than 100 masks so far, and does not plan on slowing down. Why? She's trying to pass along the kindness that she's been blessed to receive through the years, she said.
"I had surgery last year and members of my church helped me. They brought me food. When my husband served in the military, at our old base, when a woman had a baby, the wives and the families would come together and make meals and bring it to them so they wouldn’t have to worry about cooking for a week or two. Our whole lives, we’ve been a part of a community and group and helping each other out. That’s what makes me and my husband motivated. If we can help others in the ways that we’ve been helped in multiple areas of our life, then we’re happy to do that," Rojas said.
Anyone in need of a mask, can message United We Stand, San Angelo, or message Christine Rojas individually.
How to Make Your Own Face Covering, CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html
How to Properly Use Face Coverings, CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html