Sewing for a cause: Local woman helps fill mask shortage at GCMH

GRUNDY CENTER- The Coronavirus crisis has spotlighted a shortage of medical supplies across the country, including everything from ventilators to masks to testing kits. But everywhere you look, local people have risen to the occasion to provide in a time of desperate need.

Sharron Kruger, an employee of the U.S. Post Office in Reinbeck who lives in Grundy Center, is one of the individuals who has led the push to sew masks and send them to the Grundy County Memorial Hospital, and it’s given her to the opportunity to put her skills from a previous job at Dodger Industries in Eldora to work.

Kruger’s nephew, who works in radiology at GCMH, informed her of the need, and she’s already turned 50 in to the hospital with at least 25 more ready to go and 27 left to do. The hospital has since met its level of need, but Kruger plans to send them to other health care facilities.

GCMH Communications and Foundation Program Manager Keely Harken expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from around the county.

“As of today, close to 35 individuals from communities within Grundy County and beyond have dropped off a bright and cheerful assortment of hand sewn mask “protectors” to aid our caregivers. The fabric masks cover the N95 standard respirators that are in short supply nationwide, and help extend their life,” Harken said. “As GCMH prepares to care for community members who may contract the COVID-19 virus, this expression of goodwill from our community is uplifting. In addition, area businesses, notably agriculture and construction businesses, have generously donated an assortment of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gowns, and gloves.  The hospital team is grateful for this show of support!”

Kruger worked with her sister Charlene Buskohl and used material from a curtain that never got made to create the masks.

“It was all just sitting there in the box, so we started cutting it up (last) Sunday afternoon, and I started sewing on Tuesday,” Kruger said.

Kruger’s husband Vernon has since dropped masks off at the sheriff’s office for the deputies and dispatchers, and everyone who’s received them has been grateful for the local help. Now, she’s just waiting for the next assistance she can provide.

“I would help in any way I can, but right now I’ve got to go back to work,” she said. “I’ve been off work for a month, so I was glad that this project came up to keep me busy so I’d have something to do.”

The pandemic has tested everyone, particularly health care workers who are on the front lines in containing the spread and treating those who contract the virus. But Kruger is doing her best to stay positive and try to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“You’ve just kind of got to call each other, keep each other’s spirits up and keep a positive attitude that this will pass,” she said. “It’s not going to be as quickly as everybody wants it to, (but) you just have patience. And that’s a hard thing to do.”