At the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Windsor teacher Deb Hoyt set a modest goal – to make 100-200 masks by hand to support health care workers. Those professionals mean a great deal to Hoyt, who has a medical issue that makes her vulnerable to respiratory disease.

“Even though I grounded myself at home, I thought it was the least I could do to help,” said Hoyt.

 

 

Hoyt has done much more than that. On July 13th, she delivered her latest donation to UHS, which brought her total to 455 cloth masks sewn. And, she’s not done.

“I have a feeling that I will be sewing more. A Navy friend of my husband who lives in Alabama is already asking for more. I had sewed my husband's Navy squadron all Navy masks. Another friend sent me fabric to sew him two Marine masks. One lady saw the post on Facebook and asked if I could sew 3 adult masks and a child mask for them. I didn't know the family, but I sent them masks,” said Hoyt.

Hoyt actually wore out her old sewing machine and had to buy a new one to continue making masks.

“I have sent donated masks to Hawaii, California, Texas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, as well as New York. I haven't charged for anything, not even shipping. I felt it was the least I could do to help others stay safe and healthy,” said Hoyt.