Roseville volunteer group to give away 1,000 cloth masks today at Galleria to fight coronavirus

A Roseville volunteer group will be giving away 1,000 cloth masks to those in need at the Westfield Galleria mall Saturday afternoon, meant to assist those in need during the coronavirus crisis.

Roseville City Councilman Scott Alvord wrote a post on Facebook announcing the giveaway, saying that the Roseville Volunteer Force will be facilitating handouts at 1:30 p.m. in a parking lot near the corner of Galleria Boulevard and Roseville Parkway.

Alvord said that the masks were acquired by local crafters and are intended for high-risk residents or those who cannot otherwise get own masks.

“The majority of mask-makers across the country are creating masks for health care workers and first responders,” Alvord said. “We are not ignoring these important people, but we are trying to serve many of our neighbors that are in high-risk situations and cannot make their own mask and cannot buy one online (and the online scammers are plenty).”

Shirley Libis, who was a passenger in the first car in line, came with her partner, Frank Paluch. The Roseville couple was grateful for the giveaway.

“We’re coming to get face masks so I don’t have to wear my bandana, it’s kinda cumbersome when you wear it and you can’t get a face mask anywhere else,” she said. “I think it’s so awesome of them to help out, we’re senior citizens and we live in a senior community, and he has health problems so we’re not working anymore because of that, so we’re staying home, unless we need groceries, that’s the only time we go out.”

The volunteer force recently completed another mask giveaway in the Westpark section of the city, according to Alvord. He expects that the approximately 1,000 masks will all be given away quickly.

The Roseville Volunteer Force has made some mask deliveries to those in need, but due to a high volume of requests, Alvord said the pop-up events are a better option, and there may be another one in the future.

Alvord, identifying the most at-risk residents, suggested that elderly people, essential workers, especially those in food service or hospitality, and patients with serious illnesses or health conditions should come pick up a mask.

“Folks, these people are all around us. They are going out at a huge risk to themselves and others,” Alvord said. “We’re getting dozens of messages every day from people who cannot find masks to buy or don’t have the materials/skills to make them.”

Alvord said the Roseville Volunteer Force is still accepting donations of masks, but will not be taking N95 masks, as they should go to health care workers or first responders on the front lines of the pandemic.

“There’s a Roseville Volunteer Force website, that basically takes you to the Facebook group,” Alford said. “There is also a form on that website if you have needs. Joining the Facebook group is also a great way to get involved.”

This story was originally published April 11, 2020 at 10:42 AM.