Some of the scrubs made for local healthcare workers. (University of Lethbridge)

By David Opinko

U of L drama costume designers making scrubs for healthcare workers

May 14, 2020 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Although they might have a tough time finding plays to make costumes for right now, members of the University of Lethbridge’s drama department have found a way to carry on with their craft and support local healthcare workers.

Theatre Technical Director James McDowell and Teresa Heyburn came us with the idea of making scrubs out of old donated fabric.

“These are great projects for introductory sewing classes,” says Heyburn. “And small things like catheter bags use leftover scraps of fabric so it prevents these from going to the landfill.”

The materials came from the owner of a fabric store in Vulcan that closed down 11 years ago.

Costume designers at the U of L have teamed up with Good Samaritan to see if there was a local need.

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“Any kind of thank you is important,” says Recreation and Volunteer Coordinator Leslie Jastrau. “When we can help others, it just becomes a circle. At this time, we’re seeing a lot of acts of kindness and this one was a very special one. Receiving a little perk during a difficult time shows that others are thinking about us.”

Right now, nurses have to remove their scrubs on-site and place them into a bag for immediate washing to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Heyburn says giving them new scrubs at no cost is just one way of thanking them for what they do.

“I’m so impressed that the University and the drama department got behind this idea, because it takes resources. When I told them that Good Samaritan has 150 employees, I asked how much time we could spend on this, and James just said, do it! He didn’t hesitate or ask to crunch the numbers; he was so supportive of our department reaching out to that community and doing whatever we could to help.”

Even once the pandemic dies down, the University hopes to continue to work with Good Samaritan on other fabric-related issues.

Jastrau has told them about needs for handmade items in assisted living facilities like wheelchair bags that do not get caught in the wheels, recliner chair covers, water bottle bags, catheter bags, and aprons.