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Reyes sewing a mask in her party rental shop.
Photo by Austin Dave.

Santa Clarita Residents Donate Hundreds Of Homemade Face Masks

Santa Clarita residents, Krystina Reyes and Laura Garcia, have donated hundreds of homemade face masks in response to the coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.

"They made an oath to protect us, so we're going to honor that oath by protecting them."These two best friends bought sewing machines and supplies to assemble face masks to donate to our local hospitals for the paramedics, EMTs, nurses, doctors and medical staffs that are on the front lines of the battle against #COVID-19.Meet Krystina Reyes and Laura Garcia.

Posted by Austin Dave on Friday, March 27, 2020

Krystina Reyes and Laura Garcia, two members of Soroptimist International of the Greater Santa Clarita Valley, have been hard at work sewing face masks in response to the reported shortage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“When they said that we’re running low on stock and a lot of hospitals can’t get (masks) in time- and with just so many cases now, the hospitals were getting packed and it’s a need,” Reyes said. “So we first just decided to maybe make a few, sell them to people and then donate whatever’s left over.”

Reyes owns and operates a shop called I See Party Rentals on Soledad Canyon Road, where the two are making the masks 12 hours a day. Garcia joined sewing Wednesday when she bought a sewing machine, only to find how great the demand was.

“I literally just bought this machine like an hour ago,” Garcia said. “Here’s the thing, when we started this on Monday, the goal was really to only make enough to donate to different hospitals here in SCV and just all of LA County in general. I’ve had a couple of people reach out to me that are like ‘my best friend or my sister, whoever is a nurse over at this hospital, do you guys have face masks to donate?’ Yes, absolutely. But we did not realize how many people were actually gonna want to purchase from us.”

Reyes and Garcia are using their newfound free time after the statewide Safer at Home order to help put a dent in the lack of face masks available to the public.

Garcia showing off a face mask made with a Star Wars pattern.

Photo courtesy of Austin Dave.

“I mean, myself, I’m scared,” Reyes added. “Because I’m a small business owner, it is a little scary not knowing how we’re going to come out from it, but it’s gonna end and hopefully it ends very soon. I would say just try to stay positive as much as you can. Try to stay busy, keep your mind off it.”

On Thursday, the pair were looking to donate close to 50 homemade masks to Henry Mayo, Kaiser Permanente and Cedar Sinai hospitals in their latest round of donations.

The business owner does have high hopes for the future after the community and small businesses prevail through the pandemic.

“It’s going to feel great for everyone,” Reyes added. “I think business is just going to be blooming, not only for myself, but every other small business in Santa Clarita.”


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Santa Clarita Residents Donate Hundreds Of Homemade Face Masks

26 comments

  1. Bravissimo Ladies~ God repay you for all you are doing to help others! Blessings~

  2. I hope you could donate masks to Providence Holy cross as well we are running short of masks any help will do thank you in advance and God bless all of you

  3. Your kindness is making a positive difference! Thank-you.

  4. Donate some to the grocery employees and other people still working they will be the next spreaders.

  5. I can help make masks at my home. Can I pick up spies from you?

  6. I have material I’d like to donate. Not sure if there is a certain type you need. I don’t have a sewing machine but this material was left by my aunt passing.

  7. Sweet but their not wearing gloves or even masks while making them! How Do we know if they have it and they might not even know they have it! This virus is very very contagious that’s why they said most California will get it!!! This thing is just even in the air basically !

  8. God Bless These Wonderful People!!!!!

  9. Que bello encontrar personas que deberás hacen la diferencia, pido a Dios por ellas

    Gracias por lo que hacen me siento orgulloso de mí gente linda y trabajadora

  10. It would be so much appreciated if you could donate to Banfield Pet Hospital in Santa Clarita . Vets, techs, and reception are often forgot about as health care professionals and we are running out of masks. We are there every day of the week. We have a lot of immune compromised people that have to work due to the poor time off policy’s our company is using during this time. It would make us all feel a lot more safe if we had some assurance that we have some for of protection. So thankful for all you are doing for local hospitals in this time .

    • Bonnie: How many do you want? The masks I’m making have a pocket for a filter. Contact me laurie@lauriebethart.com. I’m taking requests for donations to all local organizations.

      • I work at a grocery store and they are providing no face masks I would love to buy some if possible from anyone who is selling or donating

      • Laurie, I saw your message on hometown station about masks. We have lots of fabric but I doubt it is all cotton, which is what the ladies in the story are using. My mom has to do something with this fabric no later than this weekend. I don’t have a picture right now but it was purchased to make xmas stockings for doggies and so the fabric is different colors with dog prints. If you can use , please let me know or if you know of anyone or organization that could put it to good use. Thank you for making masks and helping in this time of crisis.

        Best,
        Karen Anderson

  11. I would love to help. do you need supplies? I don’t have a sewing machine but im available to pick up materials and deliver them.
    just write me here if you need anything!
    Robyn

  12. Myself and my 4 daughter’s work in retail can you donate to us.

  13. I can help by sawing just show what of fabric you are using and perhaps a sample of one measures please

  14. Good job ladies! With so many people at home,
    looks like you will have some great help with making
    the masks! God Bless.

  15. I know how to sew and would love to help. Please let me know how I can do this.

  16. I would love to help. I can sew, have fabric, time and can probably enlist additional help. I do have questions , and look forward to a reply. Thanks, Dianne

  17. I want to help I don’t have a sewing machine but can I help buy supplies or maybe I can buy a sewing machine and learn please let me know you girls are doing an amazing thing God Bless You

  18. Thank you!! The nurses at Henry Mayo appreciate your hard work! ?

  19. What can we really say about this two god send souls true heros without being asked without being forced to do this solely out of the kindness of their hearts…am not a nurse, paramedic,respiratory therapists,firefighter or doctor.. I am an EMT but truly appreciate their gesture and kindness.. may god bless you both from the bottom of our hearts… THANK YOU

  20. Facey Medical Offices in Santa Clarita could also use some masks they are very very low would be very much appreciated. Also if you are not in Healthcare business can individuals order some also?

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About David Melnarik

David Melnarik was born and raised in Santa Clarita, graduating from Hart Senior High School in 2014. David is currently a Video and News intern at KHTS with plans to complete his Associates Degree of Arts in filmmaking at College of the Canyons in Spring 2019.