Sent every Thursday

Hey Boosters!

Did you know that in addition to writing The Boost, Ben and Jackie are also in charge of creating our amazing DoSomething campaigns? They’re truly jacks of all trades, so I’m filling in for both of them this week so they can get a bit of a much-deserved breather. (But don’t worry -- they’ll be back next week.)

With that said, there are lots of reasons to feel optimistic this week. For starters, more and more people by the day are getting COVID-19 vaccine. At the same time, young people across the country are stepping up by creating tens of thousands of DIY masks for themselves, their loved ones, and their communities. We’ve pulled together a few of our favorites below, so scroll down to get inspired! Then learn how you can use that inspiration to create some masks of your own.

Let’s Do This,
Anthony

6 of the Best Face Masks Made by Young People

DoSomething members have made over 40,000 DIY masks to protect vulnerable populations.

As we approach the anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdown here in the US, many people -- including myself -- have been dealing with the anniversary effect, which is when difficult feelings surface on or near the anniversary of a significant event. But whether you’re grieving, sad, angry, or just plain exhausted, there are still reasons to keep your head up. Maybe that reason is President Biden recently announcing that having all US adults vaccinated by the end of May is now achievable.

Or maybe that reason is that in spite of the overwhelming obstacles that young people across this country continue to face during this pandemic, they continue to step up. For example, DoSomething members have already made over 40,000 masks for themselves, their loved ones, and their community through our Masks For All campaign. Many even donated to homeless shelters and other places serving vulnerable populations, where a surge in COVID-19 cases this winter made meeting COVID-19 safety guidelines particularly challenging.

If you’re in need of some positivity and inspiration these days, scroll down for just 6 amazing examples of young people looking out for their neighbors by creating DIY masks.

1) DoSomething member Misheel, 18

“I’ve donated 57 homemade masks to Think Dignity, a nonprofit organization in San Diego, because of the shortage of masks many of us faced. I made over dozens of masks for my friends and family. Not only is wearing a mask the right thing to do as told by the CDC, but wearing a mask means keeping our family, our neighbors, and the stranger we pass by on the street safe. Wearing masks symbolize the kindness and humanity in all of us during the time of COVID.”

2) DoSomething member Ciara, 18

“This pandemic has been whirlwind from the start. My family and I have had to take severe precautions to protect each other and ourselves from getting sick including masks and online school. We can’t risk getting my grandparents sick. They are very high risk. So creating these masks was both a fun creative project to me but an important project to protect my loved ones. I’m going to donate some of them to my local Habitat For Humanity and I plan to make more for my extended family out of state.”

3) DoSomething member Sudip

“This campaign is important to me because I believe that everyone should be staying safe as they can during this pandemic. These masks may not be the best but are definitely better than nothing. I will be donating all of these masks to hopefully keep more people safe. I want to help as many people as I can any way I can so this is one thing I thought I could do to help people.”

(Fact check: These masks are, in fact, the best.)

4) DoSomething member Edward, 15

“This campaign is important to me because I care very much about our vulnerable population in these times. By creating these masks, I am able to keep those who are in dire need of protection from the pandemic safe!”

5) DoSomething member Ari, 19

“This campaign, to me, symbolizes the resiliency of the human race and how caring we are for each other. Even though wearing masks can be a bit inconvenient at times, we pull together and wear them for our community. We do it to help save lives, whether they are our loved ones or complete strangers. Wearing a mask is such a small, yet kind gesture. It gives us a sense of community solidarity by showing how much we care for each other. This is why DoSomething's campaign is important to me. This campaign inspired me to paint face masks with a symbolic message, rainbows! Rainbows remind me of the current COVID situation because I am reminded that after every storm, a rainbow appears. They symbolize hope, resiliency, and solidarity, everything that the human race possesses! They remind us that every storm shall pass, and boy, has this been a long storm! Years from now, the human race will realize how resilient we all were in the age of COVID. Hopefully, we will learn to cherish each other more because of it, and realize that every storm has a rainbow that awaits us in the end.”

6) DoSomething member Madelyn, 16

“To tell people to mask up! Wearing a face mask will save many people's lives and keep people healthy. My masks will keep people safe in a fashionable way. I just started my own face mask small business because I want people to continue staying safe, and I'm saving up for college.”

Protect People Who Are Vulnerable By Creating DIY Masks

Face masks are crucial for stopping the spread of COVID-19, and are one of the most-requested items by homeless shelters. Use our guide to make a no-sew mask and protect the most vulnerable among us from COVID-19.

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