Who would have guessed one year ago our most frequently worn accessory would be a mask? As responsible citizens, we shouldn’t leave home without one. Thanks to the efforts of resident, Karen Zalewski, the RosePointe community has been well supplied with fun and fashionable face coverings. Our masks might reflect the season or holiday. They can coordinate with the color of our outfit or even make a statement about our interests or personality. Most of all, they protect all of us from the spread of COVID-19.
At the beginning of 2020, Karen and her fellow quilting group members from Presbyterian Church of the Way had been meeting monthly for over 15 years. Together they created quilts of all sizes and donated them to people in need. Some went to the Women’s Advocate Shelter on Grand Avenue; others were given to veterans housed at Eagles Healing Nest. Potholders were donated to Bridging. Then came COVID. As people isolated at home, volunteer groups everywhere were challenged to find alternative ways to continue their efforts.
Karen, like many others, heard of the need for fabric face masks to supplement the high demand and subsequent shortage of medical masks. As a retired professional seamstress and quilter, Karen already had an abundance of fabric. Using a pattern provided by Allina Health, she went to work. The popularity of homemade masks soon caused a run on the narrow elastic needed to construct them. Her sources dried up and she found herself searching everywhere throughout April and May. By June, suppliers caught up and she was set to go. Her production sewing skills and well-equipped sewing room were great assets. Her first mask donation to fellow residents included bright summer colors and patterns. With a change of season, we received a donation of beautiful fall colors followed by festive holiday and winter fabrics. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Karen has made 750 masks. Half of them were donated to RosePointe residents and staff.
When asked why she has devoted so much time to creating these wonderful masks, she replied, “It makes me feel good”. She saw the nurses and respiratory therapist in her family working hard throughout this pandemic and was happy to do whatever she could do to help, as well. She states “The whole world is in this mess together”, which is a sentiment of many who continually find ways to volunteer their time and skills.
Pre-pandemic, Karen and her husband Keith organized an annual school supply drive for 10 years. Their connection with R. L. Stevenson Elementary School in Fridley began more than a decade ago when she toured the school and saw a little girl with bare legs on one of the coldest days in January. She returned to the school with a stack of hand-sewn leggings! Students are also recipients of their bi-annual Book Drive. The pandemic has put their volunteer efforts at the school on hold, but they look forward to continuing their work in the coming year.
The Zalewski’s moved into RosePointe’s independent senior living community in 2019. They had been searching for “the right place” for two years and had their name on waiting lists at other locations. Driving down Hamline Avenue one day, they saw a welcome sign and called for a tour. They loved the location and walking in the front door, she said “It felt right. We could envision living here”.
Their two-bedroom apartment has a large master bedroom and a second bedroom with enough room for her sewing machines, cutting table and supplies, plus her piano. They enjoy the lifestyle RosePointe provides with lots of things to do. The bi-weekly chair yoga class gives her a relaxing break from sewing. She can even attend on ZOOM! Happy to have made the move, she shared, “It’s a great place if you have a pandemic”.
After completing holiday masks, Karen is now taking a break. But that does not mean she has stopped sewing or giving. Using fabric from the clothing of a friend’s grandmother, she made stuffed bunnies to give to each of the grandchildren. Her most recent project is six baby quilts. They will be gifted to other new moms in the hospital when one of her quilting friends delivers her baby next month. A volunteer’s work is never done! Karen commented that Dr. Fauci advised we will be wearing masks for a long time. So, as we endure the cold months of winter, we look forward to spring. There are promises of vaccinations for everyone, and Karen’s promise of new masks for Easter! What more could we ask for!