SALUTE, INC. Community Stands Ready to Serve

Faced with a fearsome health pandemic and nearly national shelter-in-place orders, SALUTE, INC. continues to marshal resources to assist military veterans and their families facing obstacles to care. In their latest endeavor, the Palatine-based organization has partnered with Quilting for Others (Q4O) to make masks that military families who require in-home care can use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Many of the families we serve require in-home caretakers for physical therapy, nursing or other types of therapy," said SALUTE, INC. Executive Director Mary Beth Beiersdorf. "Because of the intense demand for and shortage of protective masks across the country, these families, and the injured veteran who is often already medically compromised, are at greater risk for exposure."

As is often the case with SALUTE efforts, members of the community stepped forward to assist.

"Beverly Palmer, who is part of a larger sewing bee known as Scrappy Ladies, formed Quilting for Others about ten years ago to make quilts for those in need," Beiersdorf explained. "We have benefitted from their generosity in the past and Beverly recently did some online research to learn how to make masks out of supplies that the group has on hand."

Palmer said that her group has members throughout the Northwest suburbs as well as other locations as far away as Florida and California. The masks are triple ply, and use felt, elastic and other materials to meet health guidelines.

"We often assist Faith Community Homes in Arlington Heights, elementary and middle schools in the area and of course, SALUTE," said Palmer. "We are producing 150 masks for immediate delivery to these veterans."

Beiersdorf said the masks will be shared with 10 families served by SALUTE. "It will allow them to protect the veterans and other family members and we'll provide enough so that masks can be rotated and washed, allowing for a fresh supply. We are extremely grateful to Quilting for Others for being such a caring contributor to our mission."

Despite following health and government protocols, Beiersdorf said that SALUTE remains focused on serving their constituents during this health scare.

"We are appreciative of cash and in-kind donations that will allow us to remain completely engaged at this time. We are committed to helping veterans overcome obstacles and we are counting on continued support from our donors and partners so that our team can overcome this obstacle as well."

To learn more about SALUTE, INC. and to learn how you can support their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, visit www.saluteinc.org.