SANDPOINT — Fifteen hundred.

That’s how many masks that the Project 2000 effort has completed and gotten into the hands — and onto the faces — of the community’s frontline workers: hospital staff, elder care, and food distribution workers among others.

Materials are on hand — and kits are being compiled to complete the remaining 500 masks, according to Sandpoint Rotary member Bev Kee.

The group’s next push is to get those kits out for the sewers and then turn to the healthcare people, with kits expected to be ready within the next few days, Kee told The Daily Bee. Group members are hoping to accomplish that goal by May 1.

“The recipients have been so appreciative,” Kee said. “The sewers have been so thankful for the kits and an opportunity for a community project during these stay-at-home days.”

Project 2000 got its start when Sandpoint Rotary member Bev Kee heard about an effort by the therapists at Sandpoint Medical Massage. The clinic’s owner, Kirsten Longmeier, had donated money and rallied a network of friends and co-workers to make masks for those in need — making 200 masks that were quickly put to use.

While the labor was there, Kee told The Daily Bee in an earlier email that the group’s supplies and monies were depleted. As the Sandpoint Rotary treasurer, she quickly contacted Longmeier and asked if money would help. Rotary President Mel Dick quickly signed onto the project and allocated $1,000 of the club’s 2020 Community Service budget to Project 2000.

Donated by various individuals, fabric has been cut and put into the brown paper bags kits. With the Rotary funds, Project 2000 was able to order elastic and thread to begin assembly of the kits.

As with the first masks, Kee said the group is hoping the community’s sewers respond and help turn the remaining 50 kits into 500 much-needed masks. Each Project 2000 kits has the supplies to make 10 masks.

“These are very simple, and if you have a sewing machine, you can do it,” Project 200 members said. The group even created a video — https://bit.ly/3aYPbHE — that shows the process of creating a mask from start to finish.

Interested and want to take part? Project 2000 has made it easy with three distribution points in the area: one in Sandpoint, another in Sagle and a third in Priest River. The spots will each have bins for drop off and pick up of donated supplies, kits, and finished masks.

Requests for doorstep delivery or pick-up (within Sandpoint city limits), can be emailed to sandpointmakeamask@gmail.com.

Those taking part — and those just wanting to spread the word about Project 2000 — are encouraged to take photos to share on social media and use the hashtag, #SandpointProject2000.

Information: sandpointmakeamask@gmail.com

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.