A Boothbay region mother and daughter are doing their patriotic duty by protecting people from the coronavirus and raising money for the local American Legion post. Patty Minerich of Boothbay Harbor and her mother Delores Carver of East Boothbay have produced 604 protective face masks since June as part of the American Legion fundraiser. The duo sells them for $10 apiece to raise money for the Charles E. Sherman Jr. American Legion Post No. 36. 

But the mother-daughter face mask collaboration preceded their efforts to raise money for the Legion. Minerich and Carver began their mask collaboration in April to assist Coastal Maine Popcorn Co.’s effort to provide health kits which included a protective face mask. “Julie Roberts is a real good friend who asked for help in producing face masks. So my mother and I began making masks here in my mom’s house,” Minerich said. “While making the masks, I thought about the legion and how selling masks would be a good way to raise money. A lot of local organizations use the hall and the legion charges an economical fee which serves the community in having a place to host local functions.”  

As the coronavirus continued from spring into summer, Minerich became concerned over how the pandemic would impact Post No. 36. A bimonthly breakfast serves as the post’s major fundraiser. A statewide ban on public gatherings was enacted this spring which put a hold on the breakfast fundraiser.  

Since Minerich and Carver began their collaboration, they have made over 900 masks between the health kit and American Legion fundraiser. Minerich cuts the material and Carver sews. The duo also receives assistance from other family members. Minerich’s husband, Tom Minerich, a Vietnam veteran and Post No. 36 member, cuts the elastic and her sister Shelly Nichols of Florida has provided nearly $900 in fabric. 

For Carver, the project is a way to support public health and America’s veterans. “It’s a way to give back to the community,” she said. “Everybody is struggling, and this helps everybody, and when you’re part of a team then you don’t have carry the whole load.”

The masks are available at the American Legion breakfasts held on alternate Sundays from 7 to 9 a.m. The masks are also sold at Coastal Maine Popcorn Co., Harbor Mart, Hawke Motors, and Pinkham’s Gourmet Market. Patty Minerich restocks the protective masks designed with patriotic symbols every 10 days.