A project by two Montezuma young people to provide live-saving masks for medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is turning into a community project.
Michael DeJong, 17, and his younger sister, Elizabeth, are producing the masks in their basement.
They’re using a 3D printer and a Cricut cutting machine, and material donated by community members.
Now, they’re getting $500 worth of financial help from Montezuma American Legion Post #169.
And they have received another $250 from Hometown Hardware.
Michael has been using the printer to create frames for the face masks. Elizabeth has been using the cutter to create the specific shields.
Michael told a KCCI reporter they can make about seven masks a day. As of Tuesday, they had made and distributed a total of 34 masks.
The two already have donated masks to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Also, they’ve made some for Brooklyn Community Estates nursing facility, the Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department, Brent Holland, and for some out-of-state clients.
They are looking for donations of letter-size clear binding covers by Fellowes (unpunched), 3/4-inch wide polyester elastic with button holes, and 2.85-millimeter PL.
Regarding the money, the Legion repurposed $500 it was going to use to send two youths to the now-canceled Boys State program.
Michael DeJong and Brian Diaz were chosen to be the representatives from Montezuma at the Hawkeye Boys State at Camp Dodge in Johnston in June.
That event was canceled because of COVID-19. But, the Legion re-directed the $500 it would have cost to send those two to Michael’s mask project.
Post Finance Officer Uwe Meyer and Commander Ron Hensel were to meet with the DeJongs sometime this week to present the check.
If you want to help the mask project, email to iowa3dfaceshields@gmail.com.
Story sources: KCCI-TV and Ron Hensel.