San Mateo, CA – Members of the San Mateo County Fair family have been making and donating face coverings to the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services Operations, Event Center venue staff that are supporting San Mateo County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, hospitals and local nonprofit organizations.
Julie Curry, the fair’s Home Arts and Quilting Department Supervisor, has organized this effort with the assistance of the Peninsula Quilters to make and donate hundreds of face coverings, with more on the way. For the past few weeks, Julie and members of the Peninsula Quilters have been making and donating these face coverings across the county.
“It is typical of the spirit of quilters, that in times of need, we turn to our sewing machines to lend a hand in any way we can,” said Curry.
Gale Green, the fair’s former Home Arts Department Supervisor who retired after the 2019 fair, has been sending Julie and the Peninsula Quilters elastic from Rhode Island, where a local manufacturer has generously donated thousands of yards to the mask-making efforts. Gale has made over 300 face coverings so far and she doesn’t plan on stopping.
“Julie, Gale and the Peninsula Quilters have contributed so much to the fair for many decades which includes oversight of one of the largest quilting divisions amongst California fairs to organizing events to make quilts for charity,” said Dana Stoehr, CEO of the San Mateo Event Center and Fair. “It is no surprise that they are in the frontlines of making and donating face coverings.”
The San Mateo County Fair has opened every year since 1934, except for one year during World War II. This year though, June 2020 will be the second historic closure in 86 years.
Everyone is urged to practice precautions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
Stay safe-Stay home
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Resources and updates:
To make a local financial donation – https://www.smcstrong.org/
For local COVID-19 updates and information, including how to volunteer – https://www.smcgov.org/
2020 census information online – https://cmo.smcgov.org/census-2020-san-mateo-county
