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How the Colorado Rockies face mask project began and flourished

By Noah Yingling

UNSPECIFIED, GERMANY - APRIL 22: In this combination of nine separate images shot over the last few weeks people wearing home-made protective face masks are seen in Berlin, Leipzig and Bitterfeld during the novel coronavirus crisis on April 22, 2020 in Unspecified, Germany. Germany is taking its first steps to ease restrictions on public life that had been imposed weeks ago in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Shops across the country are reopening, factory assembly lines are restarting and high schools are holding final exams. Health leaders are monitoring the process carefully for any resurgence of coronavirus infections. The number of infections nationwide is still rising, though so far at a declining rate. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED, GERMANY - APRIL 22: In this combination of nine separate images shot over the last few weeks people wearing home-made protective face masks are seen in Berlin, Leipzig and Bitterfeld during the novel coronavirus crisis on April 22, 2020 in Unspecified, Germany. Germany is taking its first steps to ease restrictions on public life that had been imposed weeks ago in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Shops across the country are reopening, factory assembly lines are restarting and high schools are holding final exams. Health leaders are monitoring the process carefully for any resurgence of coronavirus infections. The number of infections nationwide is still rising, though so far at a declining rate. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO, – MARCH 26: People cycle in front of Coors Field on what was to be opening day for Major League Baseball on March 26, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Major League Baseball has postponed the start of its season indefinitely due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO, – MARCH 26: People cycle in front of Coors Field on what was to be opening day for Major League Baseball on March 26, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Major League Baseball has postponed the start of its season indefinitely due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

While much has changed in the past two months across the globe, there have been some glimmers of hope from people helping others, including some cases involving some residents of Pueblo and involving the Colorado Rockies.

Many governmental leaders in Colorado and across the United States and across the world have stated the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), including facial masks, particularly for those who have preexisting health issues, the elderly, and those who may have symptoms of COVID-19. During this time, there have been two local families that have been making as many masks as they can with some help from the Colorado Rockies and their communications and marketing office.

They are the Drake family and Martinez family, both of whom reside in Pueblo, roughly two hours south of Denver. The Rockies got in touch with the two families via social media and, more specifically, Twitter.

Nearly two weeks ago, @Rockies reached out via Twitter since they had dozens of jerseys in their “swag room” proposing the idea that the fabric could be used as a mask. Within a day, they were in touch with both families and delivered the jerseys to them to make for masks.

"“For us, this was just a unique way that we could create a fan engagement opportunity and do something impactful that fills a need in the community…” said Julian Valentin, the Rockies director of brand management and social media, in an exclusive conversation with Rox Pile. “We were able to scour our Twitter feed and see some people that were already doing those types of great things in their community and it just so happened that both of them were in Pueblo which made it an easy trip…[I]t’s the power of social media and connecting people and we were able to do that.”"

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