Chicago Together

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has launched Chicago Together! Make a Mask, Give a Mask, Wear a Mask, a citywide cloth mask drive that will run from Saturday, April 25th to Saturday, May 16th.

Through the citywide drive, residents can make and donate homemade cloth masks that will be provided to homeless shelters, community health clinics, essential public sector workers, and other organizations to prevent outbreaks among the City’s most high-risk residents, which data has shown to be vulnerable residents on Chicago’s South and West Side communities.

Donations will be accepted at the following locations from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays beginning Saturday, April 25 through Saturday, May 16.

La Rabida Children’s Hospital

La Rabida Children’s Hospital is currently accepting sewn, non-clinical masks. You can help make a difference by sewing non-clinical masks for the safety of our patients and non-clinical staff.

To make a mask, please follow these instructions from JoAnn Fabrics.

Deliver masks in batches of 25, sealed zip lock bag. Deliveries should be dropped off at the front desk of the Main Entrance of La Rabida Children’s Hospital (6501 S. Promontory Dr., Chicago, IL 60649.)

To arrange a mask drop off, contact Tonisha Daniel at tdaniel@larabida.org or 773. 256.5985. If you’d prefer to mail your masks to the hospital, please address your packages to Brian Reiher.

Misericordia

Misericordia has requested volunteers to both supply sewing materials and create face masks to be used by Misericordia staff.

Two different types of masks are needed:

  • “Normal” face masks, which are made of cloth that covers nose and mouth and wraps under the chin.
  • “Filtered” face masks, which are normal face masks with a pocket to insert a filter.

Click here for instructions on how to sew a “normal” face mask; click here for instructions on how to sew a “filtered” face mask.

Mail completed masks to Misericordia Home – 6300 North Ridge Ave., Chicago, IL 60660 or deliver them to the special receptacle just inside the outside door at the Thome Ave. reception area.

For more information or questions contact the MFA Chairs at mfachairs19@gmail.com or 773-599-9889.

Northwestern Medicine

Northwestern Medicine is accepting homemade facemask donations for patients upon discharge and for community members for nonmedical use.

All donations must be laundered and individually packaged in a clear, sealable plastic bag prior to donation.

Northwestern Medicine will not accept mailed donations but will accept facemasks at designated locations and drop off points. To learn, click here.

Sinai Health System

Sinai Health System is seeking adult size masks for visitors and medical staff at all of their Chicago-area hospitals.

To learn more about donating masks to Sinai Health System, contact Julia Gutierrez at 773.257.6570.

University of Chicago Medicine

Members of the public may sew and donate cloth masks so University of Chicago Medicine may conserve and preserve their supplies of surgical masks and PPE for frontline healthcare workers.

Home sewers are reminded to practice social distancing, hand hygiene, and not work when sick when producing masks for donation. For fabric selection, studies show that cotton-blend masks can optimize both effectiveness and breathability to ensure people can comfortably wear them for extended periods of time. Craft supply retailer Joann Fabrics posted instructions for homemade masks.

If you would like to donate cloth masks, please fill out this donation form and a member of the University of Chicago Medicine’s donations team will respond to your inquiry. For donation questions, please email covid-donations@uchospitals.edu.