Assuming people may be getting a bit stir crazy at this point, a local craft company has put a spin on its usual products to help entertain those spending their time at home. But they’re not just giving families something fun to do: with every purchase made they’re giving back to the community to help those making personal protective equipment (PPE) masks.
Sarah Keating, owner of Handmade at Home DIY Craft Parties, has created craft kits she’s selling for $20, with 50 per cent going towards local mask-making efforts.
She was inspired to start this after seeing all the work being done in the community to ensure the wellbeing of others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I just figured since I was sitting at home doing nothing with no sewing skills, I should probably do something to help out,” said Keating. “There’s a whole bunch of people working really hard to sew masks and the organizers are working really hard to distribute masks kits. I was thinking about what I could do to help and since, like I said, I’ve got no sewing skills, I went back to what I know best, which is DIY crafts.”
To keep things basic, Keating is offering two different styles of woodcraft signs.
Currently she has a goal of raising $500 for local PPE initiatives and has raised $320 after only a week of selling the kits. She says if things go well and the community feedback is good, she’ll extend the fundraiser and continue with the kits.
After just a week, they’ve been able to put a dent in some fabric and elastic costs, said Keating, noting she’s seen a great deal of interest and may extend the effort if people are still looking for kits.
She encourages people to help out in any way they can during this time, putting whatever skills they have to use.
“A lot of people feel like they don’t have a lot of control because of the situation happening in the world right now … and crafting is not the obvious choice to raise money during a pandemic, but it’s something I feel like I can do and put forward,” said Keating. “I always try to encourage people to do what they know and use it in a way that can help people. So think outside the box about what they can do to help our community and the people in it.”
Those who are interested in purchasing a craft kit can contact Keating through the Handmade at Home DIY Craft Parties Facebook page or through email at handmadeathomediy@outlook.com.
