APPLETON (NBC 26) — Masks have become something many of us haven't lived without over the past year. As a part of our Celebrating Volunteers series with the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, here's a woman who has helped sew together a community during a time of need.
After retiring two years ago, Vicki Vogel never thought her 40-plus years in sewing and design would lead her to making masks for the community. But when the pandemic hit, that's just what she knew, needed to be done. Vicki actually got a head-start on making masks for a healthcare friend in Pennsylvania. So when the pandemic hit the Fox Valley, she was ready.
With her needle and her thread, she brought together a community of Fox Valley sewers, a group that would come to be known as the ThedaCare Mask Makers.
"It wasn't just about her sewing masks for our patients, for our team members," said Paula Morgen, the director of community health for ThedaCare. "The impact Vicki had in this community, she was a lifesaver, literally a lifesaver."
From producing thousands of masks to socially distanced sewing sessions in her driveway, to online sewing tutorials and sewing machine maintenance programs, Vicki made a difference. Because of her work in the Fox Valley she was chosen for the 2021 Health Care Volunteer award sponsored by ThedaCare and Ascension.
"I was overwhelmed to say the least," Vicki said. "For somebody who has done design and sewing all their life, I still get choked up. It's a great honor."
You can watch Vicki's heartfelt response in the video above.
With the award, Vicki was given $5,000. She said because this award is not just hers, but the ThedaCare Mask Makers, she wanted to donate it to a group that represents their mission. So, she chose St. Joe's Food Pantry in Menasha.
