Dave Dardzinski and Rheta Hill put mask kits together for distribution.
by Dave Warner
The Little Falls YMCA and the Little Falls Volunteer Corps worked together to fill a City-wide need for protective masks due to the Governor’s executive order. Several thousand of the masks were anonymously donated by a former Little Falls resident for distribution.
According to YMCA Executive Director, Tony DeLuca, “We identified individuals in agencies that were most likely in need. In talking with Jordyan Mueller at the Volunteer Corps, we decided we would target distribution to food pantries, housing complexes, which were senior citizen occupied, and apartments within our YMCA housing umbrella.”
DeLuca felt that the YMCA gym was the perfect location to spread things out to assemble all of the masks into the packaging.
One of the volunteers, Kendra Kuehnle said, “We’re putting masks together for residents in two different areas, Rockton Plaza and Valley View Court Apartments. We want to make sure we’re keeping our neighbors safe delivering what we can to help them.”
Each apartment received a package of masks based on their occupancy, delivered right to their door.
After delivery had been completed, Stephanie Sheppard, who was one of the recipients said, “I can not tell you how thrilled and happy I was to open my door today and see the face masks placed in front of my door. I have been so upset for the last two months because there are NONE to buy in our precious town…..but you came to the rescue.”
“I am a new resident of Little Falls, and this just seals the deal that this is the best little town in the USA! I do love it here and the people are wonderful. Thank you all Volunteers, LF Housing, and LF YMCA….and to the angel who donated these masks….bless you,” she said.
Approximately 2,000 masks were packaged and delivered by the ten volunteers.