Cupertino student’s non-profit passes 2,000-mask milestone

Image courtesy of Ma(s)king a Difference.

One local high school student chose action over complacency as COVID-19 spread across the community.

Nitya Devisetti, a rising senior from Cupertino, founded the non-profit ‘Ma(s)king a Difference’ in May 2020. The organization provides PPE to those in need, and sends notes of support to frontline health and emergency services workers.

As of late July, the organization had passed the 2,000 hand-sewn-masks-donated mark. They have also delivered more than 1,000 handmade cards to healthcare workers, seniors, homeless shelter, and emergency workers.

“I wanted to bring people together, because in these times of social isolation, I did not like witnessing a gap within the community when everyone should have been supporting one another during the tough times instead,” Nitya Devisetti said about her motivation to start the organization.

According to the group, volunteers range from middle school students through adult ages. Volunteers are provided with fabric and elastic to sew the masks.

While Devisetti founded the group in Cupertino, there are now 14 chapters in numerous states and 3 other countries.

“I hope to [continue helping] those who need assistance in my hometown,” Devisetti added.