Southeastern to 'Mask Up and Make a Difference' for health care providers
Thursday, April 9, 2020 
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana
University and the Southeastern Foundation are working to help supplement the low
inventory of masks for health care providers through a project called “Mask Up and
Make a Difference.”
“We want to make sure that all of our nursing graduates have masks and are ready
to immediately help with this crisis,” said Dean of the College of Nursing and Health
Sciences Ann Carruth. “Please help us provide SLU Lion masks to our healthcare providers
and front line workers caring for our Lion Nation community by supporting the ‘Mask
Up’ Project. We have supplies and several easy patterns. The masks you make will be
donated to those in need.”
Carruth said volunteers are needed to sew partially or completely finished masks
or teach family or community members to do so. Those who cannot sew can help the cause
by making a donation to the “Mask Up” project for the purchase of additional supplies
via the Southeastern Foundation. To make a donation or download the mask pattern,
visit southeastern.edu/maskup.
“Charlotte Humphries, Kinesiology and Health Studies retiree, and Michelle Reed
of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences have worked to create the logistics
of reaching out to our community,” Carruth said. “For example, the Hammond Art Guild
and other community members have stepped up to help the College of Nursing and Health
Sciences Mask-Up our healthcare partners.”
The masks will first go to current and future Southeastern alumni and then to
the regional medical population after the need is filled, Carruth said.
“The Foundation is grateful for this partnership in support of the university
and its alumni,” said Vice President for University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale.
“During this time of great need, we are eager to lend our hand by helping coordinate
in this effort.”
Contact cnhs@southeastern.edu to request materials or deliver partially or completed masks. Masks can also be dropped
off in the collection box under the breezeway at 400 Mane St. at the Kinesiology and
Health Sciences Building.
