Group helps make 700 masks

LW STAR VOLUNTEERS

Bernie and Martha Goossens from Mutual 2 always look for something to do for the neighbors. They have been married for over 40 years and have been living in Leisure World for three.

Bernie, being a machinist turned tailor for 40 years, helped make face masks with his wife. They started sewing face masks at the beginning of the stay at home order to help neighbors, and then started volunteering for the Golden Age Foundation’s mask project. The two of them made close to 700 masks.

“It makes for a happier life when you are busy helping people,” Martha said.

Bernie and Martha made special custom face masks for veterans in every branch of military service for the Filippino Association of Leisure World Picnic that was cancelled due to COVID-19, the members distributed the masks to the veterans. They loved their special face masks.

Diana Harrison, co-coordinator of GAF face mask project, and Laura Sporcich helped collect and distribute fabrics for Bernie and Martha to make their daily work easier.

The Golden Age Foundation would like to thank the group along with the rest of the 55 volunteers who made it possible to have 5,000 face masks distributed among the community from May-September.