I am a first-year apprentice, and I was laid off at the end of March. My girlfriend was forced to shut the doors of her midtown tailoring business only one week later. We no longer had an income or a job to work, so we decided to design and produce face masks for essential workers. After a few days of experimenting, we developed the perfect design--a design that is both functional and effective. We found excellent materials to use, including polypropylene, the same filtering fabric used in N95 masks. We created adjustable straps, as well as a pocket to change the filter. Our masks are also machine washable, and comfortability was one of our top priorities. I could not imagine having to wear an uncomfortable mask for 8-12 hours.

As of today, we have made and distributed close to 3,000 masks, including to the NYPD, FDNY, Child Protective Services, grocery store employees, Corrections, Sanitation, the United States Army, nurses, and many others who are just afraid to leave their homes. After many weeks of donating masks, and even more requests for purchases, we decided to offer our masks for sale to the general public, using a large portion of all sales to help fund our donation efforts. We are continuing to donate masks to those in need. Being unable to work and choosing to use our free time to help others has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. 

With Faith and Hope

Richard Paul