Posted on April 29, 2020

Mary Free Bed Kids physical therapist donates masks in fight against COVID-19

When Kate Rustem heard area hospitals were accepting donations of homemade masks, she tapped into her crafting skills and a stash of fabric remnants. A physical therapist on the Mary Free Bed Kids outpatient team who’s on temporary leave, Kate created nearly 50 masks while also caring for her young niece and nephew when her sister and brother-in-law are at work.

“I enjoy doing crafts and have been sewing for about six years,” Kate said. “I’m also a sucker for a good sale and have a bad habit of raiding the remnant bin at JoAnn Fabrics a little too often – and my mom did the same thing for me. As a result, I have a huge stash of fabric I didn’t have a project for.”

The project has been a labor of love for Kate.

“I’ve been thinking about so many of my team members and missing being at work, doing my part and helping my team,” she said. “I’ve especially been thinking about those who are still going in to work and wishing there was something I could do to help. I know this isn’t much, but I’m hoping it provides some amount of help.”

It sure does, Kate.