Volunteers Make Hundreds of Masks for Cincy Parks Staff

These past few months are unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. COVID-19 has turned our world upside down and it can be hard to stay positive during this grim time. But amidst this pain and hardship, we come across individuals who make a difference and bring light into the lives of others. Cincinnati Parks is lucky to have some amazing volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy to helping others.

In April, Janell, Jean, Sue, Elizabeth and Melinda volunteered to help make masks for Cincinnati Parks’s staff and volunteers. Since the onset of this project, together they have hand crafted more than 260 masks and ear savers. Parks employees now have been issued a supply of three masks each.

Elizabeth volunteers as a Krohn ambassador for the holiday show and the Butterfly show. She has made 80 masks for Parks staff and will make an additional 15 masks for Krohn’s summer show.

Jean has made more than 150 of the masks that we received, including 10 rainbow masks for the opening of Krohn’s summer show. She also recruited another volunteer to help with mask-making. She has committed to contributing her time and skills to keep staff in masks through the pandemic, and has already been planning for fall and winter themed masks.

Janell has made hundreds of masks for Cincinnati Parks and other organizations across the city. She shared that, “I had the time, materials and talent and really felt like I needed to give back to the community. And to my dismay, after four months and over 1300 masks, I continue to sew everyday. It has been a very fulfilling time in my life that I will never forget.”

Melinda shared her experience making masks for Cincinnati Parks staff: “I’ve enjoyed spending time in different Cincinnati Parks for many years, so it was gratifying to be able to give something back by making masks for their employees and volunteers. I hope I can continue to volunteer with the park district for many years to come!”

Sue made 20 masks for Cincinnati Parks staff and helped Jean make 80 ear savers. Sue has also volunteered for Cincinnati Parks making props for seasonal show installations at Krohn. She is very dedicated and has completed countless volunteer hours on site and working on projects from home.

Thank you to all of you for dedicating your time and creativity to making masks that our staff can use daily. Check out the below photos of Cincinnati Parks staff donning some of these amazing masks.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Sign up here or contact christyl.johnson-roberts@cincinnati-oh.gov