Campus, hospital benefit from donated Personal Protective Equipment

She sees her work as a simple act that could have an extraordinary benefit.

“If I can make masks to save lives, by sacrificing a little, that’s good,” she said.

Diehl has been sewing since fifth grade and gained much of her experience through 4-H projects. Her great grandmother was a professional tailor and her aunt sews.

Diehl’s father, Robbie, is CSC’s Maintenance Manager.

“I’m very proud of her. I am grateful for the work she is doing to help keep us all safe,” he said.

Biology Professor Dr. Joyce Hardy also made several dozen masks for the custodial staff. She has also sewn since her youth. Her daughter, Johanna, is a pharmacy technician and collaborated with Hardy to fine-tune a pattern for the best fit.

“When I see something I can do, I want to help and make a difference,” Hardy said.

Volunteers from the Justice Studies Department, Dr. Lisette Leesch and Kate Pope, constructed 14 masks during The Big Event in mid-April.

John, Cassandra, Donna, Scott, and Nikki Ritzen made more than 60 clear face shields with materials donated by the First National Bank.

“The biggest challenge was figuring out the best way to combine the materials we had. Once we had a design that seem durable and functional, the rest of the process went really smooth. It is always satisfying to collaborate on something that has the potential to help others,” Cassandra Ritzen said.

Ritzen’s mother, Valerie Humphrey, started the construction process by experimenting with prototypes made from different materials. They spent several hours using headbands, clear tablecloth vinyl, foam, double-stick tape, and staples to make various options.

“Once we found the design we thought would work the best, we started a small assembly line to knock out 30 plus face shields in two different afternoons. Scott did most of the cutting, Donna did the sewing, and Nikki and I were in charge of putting it all together,” Ritzen said.

The Ritzen family donated the clear shields to the Chadron Community Hospital, the Chadron Medical Clinic, and the Wal-Mart pharmacy where Ritzen’s father works.

Humphrey coordinated the distribution of material for several gowns and hundreds of masks sewn by many volunteers community-wide.

Other faculty and staff also made masks and face shields but declined publicity.

Walt Mays, son of Grounds Supervisor Lucinda Mays, made and donated ear savers with a 3D printer he found online. The gadget connects the elastic ear pieces of traditional fabric masks at the back of the wearer’s head.

“The printer has been accepted by the National Institute of Health. I've been using PLA filament with my 3D printer, so I just need to give it the model and it can create the ear saver. I've probably made around 70 of them. They're pretty cheap and easy to make, Mays said.

Mays said he donated most of the ear savers to the college, but also gave a few to the hospital. Even though he is living in Omaha now, he still plans to donate some in Chadron.

He said his printer is also capable of making face shields or other PPE.

Colleen Brennan, CSC Medical Assistant, donated fabric, and made approximately 200 masks for hospital staff members and friends and family. With the permission of her supervisor, she cuts the pattern pieces at work.

“It’s fun, creative. I can whip a mask together quickly. I like helping the community and a good distraction from the evening news,” Brennan said.