This week, I’d like to take the time to recognize Olivia C., one truly dedicated member on our team. From its origins, Olivia has consistently been an integral member of HSFL and is one of the hardest working volunteers I have encountered thus far.
I’ve come to understand that making lots of masks is not the only means to demonstrate someone’s perseverance. It’s the time spent, hours put into a project, and ultimately the quality of the result that means so much more. In Olivia’s case, all these aspects are true. Not only did she consistently make over one hundred masks every two weeks, but also irons out every mask so they are perfectly laid out for the front line responders. Without fail, she is able to do this week after week and dedicate her time to our non-profit.
Her exemplary enthusiasm was apparent from the conception of HSFL. When Olivia offered to help out, she took the initiative to buy herself a sewing machine to help our team increase the numbers of masks we were donating. At the time as the quarantine had just been enforced, around late April, sewing machines were mostly out of stock and racked up to around two hundred dollars. And still, even before she started, she decided to invest her own money. This was really heartwarming: I felt that so many good individuals truly wanted to give a hand and battle the coronavirus. Our team dynamic of honest and kind people was coming together, and it felt like we had a mission that we all understood.
This also wasn’t the first time Olivia chose to invest her own monetary expenses. Again, towards the end of April, Olivia also let me know that she bought three to four yards fabric to donate. At this moment, HSFL was struggling to buy fabric as most non-essential stores were still closed and online stores had fabric that cost up to 30 dollars per yard. Olivia’s donation was a lifesaver and came at the time that we needed it the most. Again, small actions just like these can do so much for our entire team and for that I am so grateful for Olivia’s compassion.
Later, as our team began to expand and the number volunteers grew, Olivia was given the position of Head Mask Manager. With years of expertise on the sewing machine, she was responsible for helping new volunteers learn how to use the sewing machine. I knew that there were many volunteers who needed a helping hand and someone to guide them make their first few batches of masks. I knew Olivia would do everything that she could to assist them in any way she could. She does an incredible job as well. Volunteers have told me that she has helped them improve their sewing skills and become more efficient in the numbers of masks they can produce in a single hour.
And even with the additional work, Olivia reached out to ask if there was anything else she could do to help out. I was legitimately slightly shocked. There was a lot of work and time already funneled into HSFL on her end, and still she continued to try to do as much as possible to expand and grow our team for what it was. I let know that we were still looking for more volunteers and she invited one of her friends to our cause who now cuts out material.
Reflecting back, I think it’s these moments that are the most meaningful. More than being able to donate hundreds of masks in a week (though this is undoubtedly incredible as well), I’m glad that HSFL attracts so many tender-hearted individuals. It means a lot that someone can understand our purpose and be inspired by it to create substantial change.
Thanks Olivia!
Written by Allison Moon
December 30th, 2020