In early Spring 2020, news came about a horrible virus, COVID-19. Then came more news of the lack of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), ICU beds, hand sanitizer and other safety items. Our medical providers sounded the call for help extending the useful life of their protective equipment and the need for more. Our Women’s Issues Chair, Karen Hermsmeier, headed the effort and Gold Trail Chapter answered that call!

Gold Trail Daughters dusted off the old sewing machine and responded to the nationwide request for home-sewn cotton face masks. We created masks for loved ones, friends, neighbors and faces we will never see. Hospital gowns, scrub caps and ear savers were made quickly and in great quantity. Gold Trail has coordinated the production of over 4,500 masks and nearly 100 other PPE items.

In addition, the Sacramento Valley VA Medical Center at Mather, sounded the call for 4,000 cloth masks and our Daughters jumped into action again. Hours were spent cutting, ironing, sewing and delivering masks to meet the need. To date, Gold Trail has provided over 2,000 masks to the VA for distribution to its Northern California facilities. Our dear veterans at Yountville Veterans Home have been provided with masks to wear… and a spare!

Gold Trail proudly added the number of masks produced to the nationwide DAR tally which currently is approaching 600,000 masks completed.

Photo: Karen Hermsmeier, Gold Trail’s Women’s Issues Chair with masks