Postal Family FCU Employee Produces Over 1,500 Masks

Grand Forks, ND - August 24, 2020 - Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold across the United States, Pam Cote, a member service representative (MSR) at Postal Family FCU in Grand Forks, North Dakota began assembling and donating protective face masks to anyone who needed one. Along with the help of her husband, Terry, who did most of the cutting while Pam sewed, the two decided they would continue to create and give them away for as long as they could.

Using the funds from their Economic Impact Payment (coronavirus stimulus check), along with a few donations of cash and fabric from coworkers and friends, the couple have now donated more than 1,500 masks around North Dakota, including a factory in Buxton, a local day care, two fast food restaurants, Great Clips, TSA in Grand Forks and Bismarck, and two churches. They even made masks for a wedding and have mailed the free masks to people in New Jersey, Washington, Texas, and South Carolina. They also provide masks for the members of Postal Family FCU to wear when they enter the credit union’s lobbies.

“We started with the pleated masks, but quickly decided they were not quite right,” Pam explained. “After searching the internet, we found the pattern we use now, and over time, we’ve adjusted and adapted it to what we think is the best product we can produce. It has been a wonderful experience, and the look on people’s faces when you tell them to take what they need – they are free – is priceless. We don’t know how long this will go on, but we are planning to keep making them for as long as they are needed,” she concluded.

Karen Andersen, CEO at Postal Family FCU, who brought the story to our attention, added, “They refuse to take any money for them, and they are very low-key and modest about it. The masks are so nicely sewn and they come in a variety of colors. All the masks are donated wherever there's a need, and I think that they are doing a terrific job. They are definitely helping many, many people.”