This is one of a series of articles, as part of the feature called "Helpers", which focuses on people and organizations that help make our community better.
This time we focus on Pauline and Ken Brown, of Brown's Moving, and the work they've been doing supplying masks and supporting front line workers.
"In mid-April, my husband Ken brought home a lot of material from one of his customers. From there my mother Rose Belanger and I started making masks. Since the material was donated, we decided to donate free masks to front line workers, and to the public, we would sell them for 3 for $10 with all proceeds going back to the front line," explains Pauline.
They've made well over 4,000 masks to date, and 2,500 of those have been given to front line staff. The sales from the rest have generated $3,000.
"In May we delivered 400 coffees, 300 doughnuts, 50 boxes of girl guide cookies to police, fire, paramedics, pharmacies and to grocery store staff. We made over 35 stops as part of that," she says.
Then in July, they were back at it. "We delivered $1,500 worth of coffee, doughnuts, and muffins to the hospital. She says they targetted many areas of the facility.
"We made sure these departments were recognized first: Enviro-Services,COVID D3, screeners, cancer and chemo, the CCU, assessment workers and porters. And there was still enough that every department got a treat" she explains.
They have over 40 patterns to choose from. People can pick-up, or for an additional $5 donation to the cause, the Browns can deliver to you.
She says people outside or North Bay learned of them and they have sent masks to Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Kamloops BC, and Germany.
Her preferred method of contact is by text, and her mobile number is 705-493-9044.
