Stitching communities together: Air Force spouses craft masks

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE — While many people around the world find themselves with more free time as a result of COVID-19, there are still ample ways to stay connected, come together as a community and utilize that time to aid one another.

Team Little Rock military spouses Amanda Peterson and Caitlyn Bowman are just two of the people who have been using their extra time at home to make cloth masks to help those in need.

“Having two children who are immunocompromised, I have always had a watchful eye for what’s going around on the news,” Peterson said. “When I saw this information, I knew there would be an influx of people needing masks.”

Peterson noted that while in this day and age, when you can just order items online and get them in two days, some things are not as easily acquired during this pandemic.

“There is also a sense of comfort in having something custom-made for you,” Peterson said.

As the Department of Defense has released further guidance requiring military members, civilian employees, contractors and family members to wear cloth masks, the need for cloth face coverings was at an all-time high.

“I put out a message on the spouses page offering to make masks,” Peterson said. “Immediately, people started messaging me to buy masks. However, it wasn’t something I was looking to profit from.”

While not looking to profit, donations are welcome to ensure that the supply continues to meet the ever-increasing demand.

Bowman emphasized that the main goal is to keep people safe and healthy while providing an extra layer of comfort.

“It was amazing to see how many people were offering and willing to help me in whatever way they could,” Peterson said.

‘Pay the kindness forward’ is the only expectation Peterson has when giving out the masks, she said.

After the influx of requests, Peterson called for reinforcements from her husband and two children to help expedite the process.

“It instilled a sense of pride in them — how they were able to help those in need and see the difference each mask makes,” she said.

Since the DoD policy requiring cloth-mask wear went into effect, Peterson and Bowman have made more than 300 cloth masks for the community for free.

“This is just a small way I can help the community,” Bowman said. “There aren’t many chances to help others during this crisis, so this is a great opportunity.”

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS AARON IRVIN Caitlyn Bowman, the spouse of U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Bowman, crafts masks to help those in need at and around the Little Rock Air Force Base on April 14. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

SUBMITTED Amanda Peterson, the spouse of U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Parker Peterson, creates masks for those who need them at the Little Rock Air Force Base on April 14. Peterson has made more than 250 masks and is receiving requests for masks daily.