A Key West mail carrier and a community activist have joined forces to be sure everyone can cover up in these days of mandatory face masks and alarmingly high numbers of COVID-19 cases.
With her trusty sewing machine, former Fantasy Fest Queen Jodyrae Campbell has made more than 1,000 face masks. She gives them to Kevin Paul Taylor, a Key West mail carrier who encounters needy families on his daily mail route and distributes dozens of masks every day.
“I noticed a few months ago that several families in the housing projects on my route weren’t wearing masks,” Taylor said. “When I asked some of them why they weren’t wearing masks, I learned they didn’t have access to any free ones, and with so many people out of work, they didn’t have money to buy masks. I put out a request for help and Jodyrae dove in. She has made 95% of the masks I’ve distributed and refuses to accept any money for them. Maya Montana also stepped up to the plate and started making masks.”
Campbell is still sewing, but supplies are running low, Taylor said.
“I’m trying to find donations of fabric, black and white sewing thread and elastic,” he said.
To donate supplies, email TaylorPaulKevin@gmail.com.
Mask sales help Reef Relief
Audubon House & Tropical Gardens on Whitehead Street is also making good things happen with Key West’s mandatory-mask rule. The Audubon House is selling special-edition masks featuring floral and flamingo designs inspired by the drawings of John James Audubon. The organization is giving 100% of the proceeds from mask sales to Reef Relief, a Key West-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and protecting the coral reef ecosystem.
Masks cost $12 and are available in the Audubon House gift shop, 205 Whitehead St.
