In an effort to honor the Lasell University Class of 2020, the institution united to create and donate more than 5,000 articles of PPE to healthcare workers and community members.

Spearheaded by AVP and Chief Diversity Officer Jesse Tauriac; Lasell's Donahue Institute for Ethics, Diversity and Inclusion; and Byrd Hughes, associate director for the Center for Community-Based Learning (CCBL), the work stands "as a tribute to our graduates' kindness, selflessness, and stellar efforts to make it to this point," said Tauriac. The group's original goal was to donate 2,020 articles of PPE, which was quickly surpassed.

The team began the initiative by consulting with Assistant Professor of Fashion Gail Jauregui, who had been making and donating face masks and medical gowns out of her home. She shared patterns, material recommendations, and tutorial videos so that the community could participate in a variety of ways.

"So far, we've donated pieces to dozens of health care facilities, hospices, senior living facilities, immunocompromised students and employees, and Lasell Village," said Tauriac.Lasell community members pitched in by donating fabric, purchasing materials such as elastic, sewing the PPE, and safely transporting both materials and finished products between locations.

The construction and creation of PPE came naturally thanks to Lasell's School of Fashion. Jauregui made more than 100 masks and gowns on her own. Haleigh West '17, a fashion design and production alumna, created 800 masks through her family business, Sew What, in Vermont. Fashion Lecturer Tenneh Wilkins pivoted a class assignment to focus on this project, as well.

Outside the School of Fashion, Lasell community members jumped at the chance to commemorate the Class of 2020 and support efforts to help during the pandemic. Megan Mahoney '21 created and donated 350 pieces of PPE to Beverly Hospital, Winchester Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Residence at Pearl Street Assisted Living, and Med Tech Ambulance Service EMTs. Corey Zemke '20 created and donated 180 pieces to Masonicare and Bristol Adult Resource Center in Connecticut, while Massimo Cugno '20 has taken the lead on transporting and organizing materials. Donahue Institute interns Alanis Perez '21, Annamarie Seiler '20, Cindalis Cepero '21, Geralson Withrow '20, and Krista Roman '20 have helped with a number of tasks, including PPE creation and organization (pictured right), to keep the momentum going.