Mask-Making Sisters Raise Money For Charities

ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park woman and her sister have been working daily, making masks to sell and raise money for local charities. The Crisis Center for South Suburbia in Tinley Park is among the organizations that have been supported by the effort spearheaded by Mary Monczynski and her sister, Lockport resident Dorothy Veraveic.

The Crisis Center, the Orland Township Food Pantry and the MorningStar Mission homeless shelter in Joliet have all received $1,000 as part of the effort, of which 100 percent of the proceeds go to supporting the charities.

“We are incredibly grateful for the individuals who so generously support us knowing that our
needs are greater than ever,” said Lorri Nagle, director of development for the Crisis Center.

Monczyski said she began making masks in early March to donate to hospitals and nursing home facilities, but once the demand for them grew she decided to use her skills to help these charities that have had an increased need for help amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“I started getting requests from people, so I thought why not make masks, sell them, and turn all the money I make over to different local charities?” Monczynski said.

Monczynski and her sister have already made and sold hundreds of masks, and each time they raise $1,000 they donate it to a local charity. More than 500 masks have been made already, and Monczynski said they will continue the effort for as long as the demand for masks exists.

The next $1,000 that's raised, Monczynski said, will help a different food pantry.

To support this effort and buy a 100 percent cotton, customizable mask of your own, email Monczynski at me.monczynski@gmail.com.