Victoria Speziale, Grants Specialist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, her mother, and sister have been sewing masks for the last several weeks. So far they have made more than 700.
Her aunt owns a florist shop on Long Island and, when the store was able to open, they decided to include a mask with every order to brighten up their customers’ days.
People in their community asked if they would sell the masks because they were unable to buy them elsewhere, but Victoria and her family felt they could never charge for them. Instead, they give them to anyone who asks and plan to continue for as long as they can.
Victoria says it is especially gratifying to hear from people who are overjoyed they can now do simple things like grocery shop because they previously were unable to order a mask or get one. It doesn’t surprise me that Victoria would take this project upon herself. Anyone that meets Victoria is struck by her caring and consideration for others. She has a big heart!
Submitted by: Allison Gottlieb, Director, Sponsored Programs Education and Communications, Grants and Contracts Office, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai