Maureen Smith
Article by Braden Hirsch
“I’ve always been very inspired by healthcare workers. This volunteer project is a response to serious circumstances, but it has also served as an opportunity to say thank you for all the hard work of our local doctors and nurses.”
Maureen is recently retired from the Oregon Nurses Association. She worked for them as a labor rep over the past 11 years and, during that time, developed many personal connections with members of the healthcare world. While she was traveling back from an overseas vacation, Maureen realized the potential seriousness of this pandemic when she witnessed many people who were stuck in the airport because flights to China had been cancelled. Upon arriving home, she began contacting friends and former colleagues to see how she could help during the crisis. What developed from this was a mask donation project with the Emerald Valley Quilters Guild; a project that has thus far produced thousands of masks for healthcare workers and vulnerable community members.
Although Maureen is not a quilter herself, she has been instrumental in the development of this project. Through her many social connections and extraordinary organizational skills, Maureen has connected several volunteers with organizations in need of masks. In addition, she has always been very inspired by the hard work of nurses and other healthcare workers. Through involvement with this mask project, she hopes to show appreciation for these workers while also helping the greater community
In addition to her work with the mask project, Maureen has served as an active community member and volunteer for many years. Some of her service work has included involvement in the Big Brothers/Sisters Program, fostering dogs in cooperation with Greenhill Humane Society, and hosting an annual “Paella Fest” at her home to raise money for Food For Lane County. The Paella Fest was unfortunately cancelled this year due to COVID-19; however Maureen is still doing what she can to raise awareness of Food For Lane County
