In times of peril, it is usually the Newtown Emergency Preparedness Team that jumps to the rescue.

But, according to team member and Newtown Emergency Communications Director Maureen Will, when two anonymous residents handy with fabric and thread learned emergency management responders might be lacking Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, they went to work — delivering a supply of hand-sewn masks and caps in short order.

“Newtown residents have always answered the call during times of extraordinary events, and the events of the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception,” Will told The Newtown Bee. “Recently, two amazing women from Newtown brought face masks and surgical caps made under specific guidelines from our hospitals to the Emergency Management team.”

The items were sewn using templates provided by Danbury and Yale New Haven Hospitals and then given to the Deputy Emergency Management Director. Will said the caps and masks, which have the added ability to have filters inserted as needed by hospital workers, are reusable after proper disinfecting is done.

Will shared a how-to video below:

Will said once volunteers complete the step by step instructions on how to make the items, they should be placed in a sealed plastic bag for transport to those who need them most.

She said Newtown has two businesses that have fabric and material — Chintz–N–Prints at 39 South Main Street, and The Quilt Shop by Lois at 12 Queen Street.

“Folks may be looking for ways to help, and this is one that can be done at home, and all from experienced seamstresses or clothiers to the novice can lend a hand,” Will said. “We only ask that those who do participate have not been in contact with anyone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the past 14 days and are not experiencing any symptoms; this is for the protection of the providers who will be receiving the masks.”

Anyone with questions or who has made items to donate should contact Will at 203-270-4296 or e-mail maureen.will@newtown-ct.gov — and she will be happy to help donors get their handiwork into the hands, and onto the heads and faces of front line coronavirus responders and medical personnel.

View a template and details for creating PPE here