TALLAHASSEE, Fla.(WTXL) — We're just two weeks away from school starting in Leon County.
And from filling backpacks to stitching masks, people in the Big Bend are banning together to help prepare for a safe transition back to school.
Over the weekend, people across the Capitol City were focused on helping teachers and students get ready for the risks involved when returning to the classroom.
"I can't imagine how vulnerable they are," said Ruth Chase Mask Marvel Organizer.
While the push back to keep Leon County Schools closed has reached a standstill support has not.
Mask Marvel looking out for classroom leaders and helping prepare for them as they prove just how essential their jobs are August 31.
Ruth Chase spearheading the campaign to collect 5,000 masks for LCS teachers.
"I'm very concerned about them, and that's why I was so glad when they called us and asked us to make these masks," said Chase.
All staff and students headed to the classroom this semester will need some kind of facial covering.
Mask Marvel is the middleman to help create just that handing out surgical-grade material to volunteers willing to make them.
The kits are comparable to what's used in N-95 masks.
The hope is to provide a mask and some hope.
"They have a lot of fear going back into the classroom. There's almost no way they can protect themselves against children which have a hundred times the viral particles in their sinuses," said Ruth Chase, Mask Marvel Organizer.
Over in Frenchtown, school supply drives are looking a bit different this year.
Sowing Seeds Sewing Comfort Ministry is helping fill 200 backpacks with everything from COVID-19 preparations.
"Every bag had a mask in it, hand sanitizer. Our food bags had the same thing."
The bags included classroom essentials all in an effort to keep bellies full, supplies in hand and kids healthy.
"I am just so blessed to think about all the donors that sent in donations of school supplies and financial finances and all the volunteers that came hands on," said Charlotta Ivey, Elder, Sowing Seeds Sewing Comfort Ministry.
People in the Big Bend uniting in a cause to keep the future leaders in town safe.
Mask Marvels gave out about 500 masks over the weekend.
They will continue to collect more through the school year.
