In April 2020 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and when masks were in high-demand, Reno Aces president Eric Edelstein and his team had an idea to help a worldwide problem locally. The Aces decided to take new jerseys from their team shop and turn them into masks. But the next question was who could bring the idea to life?
"None of us know how to sew, so what do we do?" Edelstein said. "It was literally a tweet that I put out saying that we're looking for someone who knows how to work a sewing machine and we'll drop jerseys off at your houses to make masks, and the Woods immediately called and said that they were in."
Susanville natives and retired first-responders, Jeff and Sheila Wood, have been Aces season-ticket holders for a decade and moved to Reno to be closer to the team. When the Aces asked for help, it was a no-brainer for the Wood family.
"I feel like they came with the building," Edelstein joked. "They've just been a couple that's always gone out of their way to say 'Hi' and chit chat, and they get here early and take their walks around, and I feel like I know their routine as well as they know their routine."
Jeff Wood added: "It was fun. It gave us something to do. I was a fireman and paramedic and Sheila was a dispatcher, so we've been in the health-care field and being retired, it was a nice way to help out."
"I've sewn all my life, and I told (Jeff) I needed his help," Sheila said.
The Woods made 200 masks from scratch and all proceeds were donated to local hospitals such as Renown, Saint Mary's and Northern Nevada Medical Center. In a time when the Aces couldn't be on the field, Edelstein said they were focused on how they could help the community during the difficult time.
"I think it's the power of sports to bring communities together, to bring people together, that even when sports teams do things that aren't about sports they're still more meaningful and that's a responsibility we take really seriously here," Edelstein said.
The Reno Aces will operate at 100 percent capacity for the first time this season starting June 3 after operating at 50 percent for the entire month of May.
"The community really missed the Aces, and we really missed the community," Edelstein said. "We're really excited to be back and giving people what they expect, great quality, affordable family and friendly entertainment. "
"wood" - Google News
June 03, 2021 at 04:33AM
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Reno Aces mask-makers Jeff and Sheila Wood pitch in during a time of need - Nevada Sports Net
"wood" - Google News
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