AUSTIN, Texas — Girl Scout troops and youth groups in south Austin from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been keeping busy this summer taking care of their neighbors. Due to their hard work and creativity, there are nearly 2,200 “kindness kits” ready to be sewn into masks for those in need. A kindness kit includes preparing the materials to make 60 masks and tie-dyeing, deconstructing, cutting pillowcases, then bagging 60 dyed mask-fronts and 60 plain rectangular sheets, plus 120 shoelaces to be shared with those who will sew the final project.
Andrea Fronk, a lead volunteer for MasksNOW ATX and a member of Oak Hills stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized the kit making opportunity. “Service invokes a sense of purpose, community and hope. We want youth to be empowered. Girls and families who participated have said this project was just what they needed. Lately, health clinics in poorer areas, shelters and other service organizations are struggling to find the means to provide masks for their clients. And now, thanks to the local Girls Scouts and the young women in our youth organization, our group of sewers can get to work and meet this important need in our community.”
Melissa Orsak, a Girl Scout leader and also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ was thrilled with how the project not only helped the community, but helped the girls and their families as they served. “I have seen this fabulous service opportunity positively impact many families as they jumped on board to help. I have watched girls learn new skills, show love for others, take pride in their work, realize they can do hard things and grow in many other ways.”
Showing the power of our community working together, the kits include a thank you note with glass blown hearts donated from a local artist in Wimberly, Terri Shamlin. Apex Leadership Company donated lanyards, and Latter-day Saint missionaries and local families volunteered to do cutting and melting to make the lanyards ready for use with the masks.
For more information about how your youth group, Girl Scout or Boy Scout troop, family, church or other group can get involved, visit Masksnow.org and look for the ATX region page or email andreaATX@masksnow.org and reference this article.