One mask at a time

Seattle company donates caring and safety

David, Axel, Tracy, Simon and Miles Krauter

During the COVID-19 pandemic one of the many organizations that has been so supportive of our efforts is a local manufacturer, Splash Fabric.

In recent weeks the small, Seattle company has donated more than 700 masks for our clients in Seattle Housing Authority residences.

Last month, Full Life’s SHA Wellness Program Nurse Max Tuvloff had heard that the company had just begun making donations. Max gave them a call and soon the masks started flowing in.

Wellness Program Manager Caroline Dowdle then handled mask distribution and Health and Wellness Outreach Specialist Evy Horton created a nifty handout explaining the proper way to wear masks. See their COVID mask handout here.

We’re grateful for Splash Fabric’s generosity, but they’ve been doing so much more.

Since April, Splash Fabric has donated nearly 20,000 masks to an array of civic groups and health providers. It’s a new venture for the company, and a fulfilling one.

“It’s been busier now that we ever were,” said owner Tracy Krauter. “It’s what we can do to help. People are coming out of the woodwork. The need is so great.”

Tracy started her company in 1992 to make children’s clothing. Just six years ago they began manufacturing laminated cotton fabrics products including table cloths, aprons and bags.

The public health emergency and need for protective masks prompted Tracy and her family into action.

“We partnered with our sewing contractors to redirect our production to start making personal face masks out of our colorful napkin fabric,” Tracy said. “Within three weeks we ran out of our own fabric and are now sourcing our fabric from Clothworks, a Seattle based company.”

Splash Fabric is donating a mask for every one they sell. Tracy said that when she’s out she sometimes just gives masks away to passersby who need one.

Besides giving to the community, the growth in business has allowed Tracy to provide work for 25 otherwise furloughed home sewers with full time work.

“I also employ all three of my nearly grown children and husband,” she beamed.

Thanks for your current contributions, Tracy, and for what’s still to come for the community from you and yours.

Want to help? Visit their website where their “Buy 1, give 1” mask offer is available, as well as their array of regular products, including tote bags, aprons and a lot of other fabric offerings.