Pott. Co.'s Mask Lady: Vicki Palmer!

​No longer is she known for her rocks, now she’s the Mask Lady!  Vicki Palmer of Oakland has gone from being a retired school nurse to the master of 712 Painted Rocks to supplying 5000 masks for those in need during COVID! 

When Vicki heard there was a need for masks, she remembered the 4 yards of softball fabric sitting in her closet.  From there, she expanded to making masks for neighbors, friends, family, doctors’ offices, several schools, a couple of ministries, homeless shelters, nursing homes and many other organizations through Nebraska Hands & Feet. 

She says it takes her 15 minutes to make a regular cotton mask and 30-ish to make the see-through mouth ones.  The amazing part is that Palmer doesn’t charge.  She’s become known for her “free mask” tote that often sits outside her home next to the street and sometimes she takes it to other towns to spread the love. Actually, she’s made them for people all over the country as she has family in Grand Island, NE, Fort Worth, TX, and San Antonio!

Why has she done all these masks?  Not only does she like helping others, she knew there was a need, and she mentioned that it filled a void at just the right time after her retirement from Riverside last year.  She’s used everything from flamingos, baseballs, paisley, and her favorite, a black with lavender and blue floral print (shown in the photo) to make the masks.  And she’s still sewing!  She just got done making some clear-fronted masks for families in Scottsbluff with hearing-impaired members and touts that she will keep going strong till there is no need! 
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Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift.  The purpose of life is to give it away.”  Well, Vicki, you have done just that! 

Thank you for doing your part to make Pott. Co. and the world a little better place to be!