Thousands Of Free Masks Fly In Newhallville

“Masks for my two grandkids and mother, please,” said Sandra Crockett.

Crockett was among a crowd of neighbors who turned out Thursday afternoon for a pandemic mask giveaway in Newhallville, on the corner of Hazel Street and Shelton Avenue.

The event was organized by Rodney Williams, the owner of Green Elm Construction, along with funding from Giordano Construction. From 4 to 6 p.m., Williams and volunteers Brother Born, Gregory Lewis, and Michael Ben-Elohim manned up a blue tent, complete with folding tables piled with masks.

Williams tapped into his longstanding role in the community for the event. ​“I’ve known her since eighth grade!” he exclaimed as a woman walked up for masks. Later, when some kids came to pick up masks, he pointed to their grandma across the street. ​“I went to Hillhouse with her,” he said. Crockett, he added, was another childhood friend.

“I grew up here,” said Williams. ​“And I see so many people around without masks. The virus isn’t going away, so do we want to save lives or let people die?” Thanks to his professional relationships, Williams says, he has secured a few hundred thousand masks. Some of those he sells. Others he donates to the community. ​“I want to give back,” he said.

For Thursday’s giveaway, Williams had brought between 8,000 to 10,000 masks. As each family came up, he asked how many people they were picking up masks for: Siblings? Parents? Kids? Grandkids?

“If you’re trying to help a community, don’t question their needs,” he said. ​“Just listen, and provide what you can.”

Williams said he hopes to hold weekly giveaways across the city. He has also secured 50,000 masks to give to the housing authority, he said.

At one point, he gave a woman 70 masks for her grandkids.

According to Williams, giving families only a few masks is a foolish solution. ​“Three to four masks only last families a couple of days. We give 40 or 50 masks to each family.” At the end of the event, Williams had only about 1,000 left.

Rising Prices

For people like the Crockett, access to masks is crucial. Her 18 year old grandson wants to return to his high school, Metropolitan Business Academy, when hybrid learning resumes on Nov. 9. But she’s not sure if schools are providing masks for their students.

“They’re pretty expensive,” said Crockett. ​“Ten to twelve dollars for 50 masks? And it’s a regular purchase.”

These prices have impacted her family’s ability to purchase other essential goods

“Sometimes my mom’ll say, ​‘You know, I just can’t get the masks because I need my medicine more this week,’” said Crockett. ​“And she wants to go outside but she can’t, because she doesn’t have a mask.”

“Masks are so expensive at corner markets,” said Shi Gray, who had seen the tent randomly and decided to come. She asked for masks for herself and her mother. ​“I can get 15 masks for $10 or even $25. Some people can’t afford those prices.”

J. Litz, who simply gave his first initial, agreed. He came to pick up masks for his wife and two children. ​“The stores are charging extra crazy prices when they know we’re struggling,” said Litz. ​“The same thing is happening with hand sanitizer and other essentials.”

Kid-Friendly

Another difficulty in getting masks? Finding ones that fit for kids.

“My granddaughter can’t fit into adult masks and the toddler ones are too small,” said Crockett. ​“These fit perfectly.”

Shochita Wright, who has 16 grandkids, agreed. She doesn’t have a problem getting masks for her or her husband, but her daughters have trouble finding masks for their kids. It’s a concern because her grandkids spent at least two days a week in-person at school. (Wright lives in Hamden, where schools already have hybrid in-person/remote learning.) ​“They expect kids to bring their own masks,” said Wright.

Cheryl Canteen is the secretary and fundraiser-coordinator for The Village, a new step team in New Haven. ​“We’ve performed at Stop & Shop, a rally for survivors of domestic violence, and more,” she said. Canteen, along with four girls from the team, stopped at the tent on their way to dance practice.

“We provide masks for all 18 kids on the team,” she said. The dancers range from 7 to 15 years old, so some need children’s masks while others use adult sizes. ​“I’ve had trouble finding masks, especially kid ones. Sometimes we have fundraisers to buy masks, but this really helps.”

“Please, please come to Whalley next week,” pleaded Sarah McClaim and Jerre Davis. The two women came to bring masks for their grandchildren and neighbors.

“I walk down the street, and I see so many people without masks,” said Davis. ​“If they keep on, there could be an uptick happening again.”

“How do they expect schools to reopen if people don’t have masks and cases are rising?” asked McClaim.

The two planned to distribute masks to their neighbors, especially those who didn’t go out to buy masks for themselves.

Ray Jackson, Democratic Ward 21 Committee co-chair, also planned to give masks to neighbors. ​“I haven’t had a lot of trouble getting masks, so I want to give them to people who need them,” he said. ​“For example, If I’m walking and see someone who can’t get inside a store because they don’t have a mask, I’ll give them one.”

Williams also emphasized the role of masks in voting. ​“Everyone’s so concerned about elections this year,” said. ​“But without masks, how will it be safe to vote?”

Next week, Williams plans to head across town to West River. ​“If we can get masks into the community, our Covid numbers will stay low,” he said. ​“That’s how we’ll protect each other.”