KANSAS CITY, MO — Sew KC donated 1,000 masks to the family of an Overland Park police officer who died in the line of duty; the company is about to make 1,000 masks for friends and family of an Independence firefighter who died last week.
Michele Dawbarn, co-owner of Sew KC, plans to deliver the 'thin red line' patterned masks to the Independence Fire Department on Thursday. Some of the masks will be used for the funeral of David Jameson Jr., a fireman who died last week while at work.
"This is what we need to be doing," Dawbarn said. "We need to come together, as a community, and help in any way we can."
Derrick Neuner, chief information officer of Lifted Spirits Distillery, said it will also donate hand sanitizer to attendees of Jameson's funeral.
"These guys are going out there every single day and working in unsafe conditions and it's truly heartbreaking to know that they don't have a choice of whether or not they go to work," Neuner said.
The distillery began making sanitizer because of COVID-19. While anyone can purchase the sanitizer, Neuner said they've made several donations to hospitals and police departments.
"It is really amazing that we're in a position to help someone," Neuner said. "We're in the distillery business. We've been making booze for years and making great gins and great experiences and being in a position to that we can actually help anyone for safety measures is incredible."
It's not clear how Jameson died or when his funeral will be.
Sew KC has also donated thousands of masks to various places, including hospitals and police departments. Dawbarn said her business is a small business. But, they're able to give back thanks to the community purchasing masks through their buy one, give one program.
"It's been non-stop, but I think we're also passionate about what we're doing and that is a big motivator for all of us," Dawbarn said. "This is what we need to be doing. We need to come together as a community and help anyway we can."
