When Reverend Darlyne (Dar) Rath put out a request for ‘friends’ to help make surgical scrub caps for staff in local hospitals and long-term care centres and for front-line workers, she hoped to meet the need in the local Southampton’s Saugeen Memorial Hospital … little did she know the response she would get.
More than 33 residents stepped forward to take part in the project from cutting fabric, sewing and sewing on buttons, to providing the 100 per cent cotton and buttons that are needed.
These are not the usual plain green or white scrub caps. Instead, they are in fun patterns and bright vibrant colours that make front-line workers smile. While some of the male physicians and staff were not comfortable wearing bunnies or flowers, Rath ensured that more suitable caps for male staff were also created and delivered. All are made of cotton and are to be washed after each wearing/shift.
Now, the total will soon be over 1,000 distributed to hospitals, long-term care and front-line workers throughout Grey Bruce and beyond, with sewers now wanting to continue.
“This was truly a community effort,” says Rev. Rath. “In the midst of this, three sewing machines gave up the ghost and one cutter had blisters on her hand from cutting out the 
fabric. It was sort of an assembly line working from 16 kits that Len’s Mill store of Guelph donated to us through Brenda Legris-Gainfort. We’ve made surgical caps that are needed by the front-line workers but that are also fun to wear. There are also so many more who donated fabric and buttons, some of whom I don’t know as it simply ended up on my front step. My sincerest thanks to all who participated, and continue, in this worthwhile project.”
Donations of 100% cotton fabric and buttons the size of a quarter would be most appreciated and can be dropped off at 536 Creekwood Drive in Southampton.
“The dedication and commitment of our group of cutters and sewers has been nothing short of incredible,” adds Rath … Marty Church, Linda Mason, Marg McLeod, Dale Sherwood, Elise Lapine, Donna Legge, Teresa Klapwyk from Sauble Beach, Gail Allen, Bonnie Hobbs, Barb Thompson, Cheryl Meilke, Beth Hotchkiss, Barb Cherrie, Audrey Telford, Gale Douglass, Jean Morrison, Shelaugh Tague, Rita Sproule, Gloria Currie, Anne Roberts, Gillian Gayfor, Joanne Hall, Mary McCallum, Melinda Myett, Renee Pageau, Bonnie Hastings, Pat Dobec, Susan MacDonald, Bonnie Hobbs, Jane Phillips, Mary-Gail Grace, Luz Maria Alvarez, Anne Marie Harding–Wilson, Cathy Berry, Jan Sinclair, Judy Leslie and Darlyne Rath.
“When we are sewing or cutting or putting buttons on – we are making a contribution to others and it helps us not to think so much about this situation we find ourselves in. These are amazingly scary times and you are amazing people to help with this project” …. Rev. Darlyne Rath
