UVU Joins With Utah Colleges and Universities in ProjectProtect

Utah’s colleges and universities, including UVU, are banding together in ProjectProtect, a grassroots initiative to sew masks for medical personnel in the state.

   

Utah Valley University is joining with Utah's colleges and universities in ProjectProtect, a grassroots initiative to sew masks for medical personnel in the state. Themed “Sew Your True Colors,” ProjectProtect is asking every USHE institution to sew masks using thread in their school colors.

Daily, frontline medical workers provide lifesaving care to members of the community and beyond despite the risks they face from exposure to COVID-19. Face masks help to mitigate the spread of this disease, but shortages of medical-grade face masks have compromised the safety and well-being of these healthcare heroes to an even greater extent. 

"This is an opportunity for UVU to show exceptional care to the women and men working at the frontline in this pandemic," UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez said. "With the materials provided by ProjectProtect, I will be personally sewing masks with green thread at my home. I invite you to participate, too."

Volunteers will need a sewing machine, green thread, scissors, and pins, but do not need a high level of sewing skills to produce these masks. Detailed instructions will be provided. Each kit will include 100 masks, and, depending on an individual's level of experience, each mask should take five to 10 minutes to sew — for a total of 10 to 15 hours. Volunteers will need to return the finished masks where they picked up the materials by May 30, 2020.

Participants can sign up at ProjectProtect.health. On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.,  kits of 100 masks will be available for pickup at the Deseret Industries located at 435 South 500 East in American Fork, Utah. Time slots are available in 30-minute increments and can be signed up for on the website. Willy the Wolverine will be at the pickup location to cheer for UVU volunteers. Consult the website for other available pickup locations in the state.

"I am grateful for our healthcare workers’ sacrifice, bravery, and service," Tuminez said. "I am honored that we at UVU have an opportunity to do something to help protect their lives in return — even if our sewing skills might be a little 'green.'"