(This article was originally published in the July 15 print edition of the Herald)

Galen Kusic, Editor

The Benicia mask making group continues to grow in size and scope as more needs become apparent in the City, county, region, state and nationwide.

What started as a simple conversation between Bodil Fox and her neighbor, R.N. Marcella Spurgeon about the need for healthcare worker PPE on March 20, has grown into a local movement that is helping keep those in need safe as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage throughout the U.S.

The group, which now consists of 121 members, has distributed 10,660 masks to over 79 health care facilities and has no signs of slowing down. While Bodil and Larnie Fox were hopeful that the need for PPE and masks was on the decline, the recent spike in cases has sent the group back into overtime mask making mode.

Healthcare workers are still in need, and the group has received requests from the front lines – branching out to provide essential workers, businesses, homeless and students with masks as well.

“We are able to change things quickly,” said Bodil. “I hope we all will come through this, it’s a difficult journey.”

Bodil and Larnie have created spreadsheets, e-mail lists and a network of workers that keeps them busy, but organized as a unit. When a need comes in, the word goes out and the “small army” of workers gets the job done to fulfill that need.

The group has distributed 1,337 masks to farmworkers and families through the Half Moon Bay non-profit ALAS, fulfilling requests for children sized masks to help keep them safe.

The group has also made big donations to tribal nations throughout the country, with 300 masks sent to the Navajo Nation. Recently, a contact requested masks for the Crow Creek Sioux reservations in South Dakota due to a large outbreak. The group has already sent 257 masks there, the poorest per capita population in the U.S. at under $5,300 gross annual income.

Locally, the group provided 500 masks to Benicia merchants via city government and has worked with Healthcare for the Homeless in Contra Costa County, where homeless residents have received over 100 masks. Recently, male homeless residents have requested more “male” colors, (dark or solids) without designs and the group has delivered on that request.

The Benicia Family Resource Center (FRC) operated by the Benicia Police Department is giving away backpacks for students for the upcoming year. The FRC requested masks be included in the backpacks for kids. That order will be delivered by Aug. 1.

“If there’s a need, we can help,” said Bodil. “We want to help areas that are most hard hit. It keeps us busy.”

The group consists of not only sewers, which includes 79 Benicians, but also 14 cutters, 15 donors and 13 runners and face shield makers. While the need is there, the group will continue to make masks, head coverings and whatever else is needed to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“It seems like it just keeps going,” said Bodil. “While some makers step away for a minute, they come back again with more masks. Hopefully the change that comes with this will be positive. Thank you all for contributing to this endeavor. It takes a village and our village is large and very generous.”