Maker of Masks For Essential Workers: Simsbury Hero

SIMSBURY, CT — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Doris Rothe and Kathleen Fallon, who each nominated Katie Costolnick of Simsbury. Katie started a Facebook group called Sewing Face Masks - Farmington Valley CT, encouraging people to get involved in the effort to sew face masks for health care workers and other essential employees during the PPE shortage.

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?
No

What does the nominee do for work?
She is leading a group of 500 volunteers which has donated over 15,000 masks. Volunteers wash, cut, sew and deliver. Donations have gone to every hospital in Connecticut and Baystate, nursing homes, hospice, essential business and groups.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
Katie has led this group to complete over 15,000 face masks to help protect our community against the coronavirus. She organized donations and has developed a clearinghouse for donations and supplies.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?
Katie stepped up to help thousands of individuals when she coordinated and led this group of volunteer sewists. She is the most organized person I have ever met and has the patience of a saint!

Thank you Katie for all that you do!

Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

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