F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- In troubled and uncertain times there are typically some individuals who rise to the challenge presented. They are the ones that are ready to step up to the plate and hit a home run for the good of the team. Three such individuals stepping up to help their team are Master Sgt. John Pillerella, Master Sgt. Stefan Hobbs and his wife Mrs. Janida Hobbs.
They formed Operation Masker-Aid to make protective face coverings to keep F. E. Warren service members and families safe.
“Times like these are when we as Americans step up and out of our shell,” said Pillerella, First Sergeant for the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron. “This is exactly what the team of Operation Masker-Aid is doing.”
To keep making masks, however, this team of volunteers need help with sewing the masks and donations of much needed materials.
“I am so glad to be a part of this dynamic team,” said Janida Hobbs, Operation Masker-Aid volunteer. “We have a production team that consist of about 25 volunteers of spouses, active duty members, civilian employees and wonderful community members from the city of Cheyenne.”
Needed donations include:
- 100% cotton solid-color fabric (black, brown, green, tan)
- Thread (black, brown, green, tan)
- Twist ties (must be plastic covered)
- Elastic (1/8 wide)
- Bias tape (extra wide double fold)
- Ziploc bags (quarter or gallon)
- Distilled water (1 gallon)
- Sewing needles (size 80) and
- Replacement rotary blades (60mm or 45mm).
“I’m truly in awe of the volunteers who have stepped up to help cut, sew and distribute the face coverings,” said Pillerella. “These personnel deserve all the credit in the world in helping out our community.”
They cannot accomplish their goal of 4,000 masks without the support and help of the local community. Once the masks are produced, they will be distributed to Active Duty, dependents and Department of Defense civilian employees at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Please email Pillerella at john.pillerella@us.af.mil or Hobbs at hobbsjanida@gmail.com if you wish to volunteer with the program. Drop off locations for materials and supplies are as follows: Blue Federal Credit Union 114 E. 7th Avenue or 3810 Dell Range Boulevard. The hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Please place donated items in the grey Rubbermaid container in the entrance near the ATM. Please email for an alternate drop off location on base.