SEATTLE–Two employees of First Tech Credit Union in the Seattle area have committed to making cloth face masks for their community at a time when it’s needed most.
For Ingrid van Veen and Lien Nguyen, what started as a small project has evolved to more than 2,000 masks produced for nurses, doctors, first responders, family and friends. The project also led to a mask-making tutorial on Instagram and Facebook for others who want to help support the cause, the credit union said.
Ingrid van Veen, Senior Account Manager with First Tech
According to First tech, prompted by a friend in the medical field expressing the need for masks, van Veen quickly jumped online for patterns and materials and got to work. van Veen has made more than 300 masks for a variety of organizations including physical therapists in New Jersey, doctors in San Diego, Seattle-area nurses, Valley Medical and first responders in Renton, Wash., and Fircrest Rehabilitation Center in Shoreline, Wash. She has also provided masks for family and friends. In addition to helping these organizations, Ingrid has posted a “how to” video on Instagram and Facebook to teach others how to make masks.
Lien Nguyen, Account Manager with First Tech
Shortly after van Veen’s story was shared internally with First Tech employees, Nguyen was inspired to start making masks as well and enlisted the help of her mother and other family members to contribute to the effort. Nguyen has received and fulfilled requests from nurses and healthcare workers at Seattle area clinics and hospitals including Harborview, Evergreen, Swedish, University of Washington Medical Center and local Veterans Affairs Hospitals. She has also donated masks to local police agencies.
“This effort is just one of many examples of living our credit union philosophy of People Helping People,” said Nicole Frisch, Director of Community Engagement at First Tech. “There’s just something about our employees and members – they’re always looking for ways to give back, and now more than ever are exhibiting their innovative spirit to help our communities in a time of great need.”
Below, Lien Nguyen.