Masks with a Cause

  • Published
  • By Capt. Maren P. Barney
  • 310SW Public Affaris
Denver, Colo. --  The Denver Hospice's Mask Project wraps up its month-long display at Cherry Creek Shopping Center Friday. The 500 masks on display are up for auction to raise money for the hospice.

Founded in 1998, this is the first year the project features a "Wall of Heroes." This section displays masks created by or honoring military, police and fire departments, and others who work in extraordinary circumstances, while serving their country or communities.

Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Scandrol, a member of the 710th Security Forces Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., painted a representation of the 101st Airborne Division, calling it "A Hard Day at the Office."

"These four Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division in this painting and the mask as part of the sunset represent all of our heroes overseas serving in combat," Sergeant Scandrol said. "It is quite representative of every face, every person and every branch of service. This mask is dedicated to all who serve and for that they are, and forever shall be, my heroes."

Kyle Anderson painted a mask in honor of his brother, Christopher, who died in Iraq in 2006.
"He found that painting the mask was very cathartic," said Denver Hospice's communications director Lynn J. Bronikowski, "but emotionally it was a very difficult process for him."

Another mask on the "Wall of Heroes" was painted by Latoya Lucas from Colorado Springs, who received the Purple Heart during her deployment to Iraq and is author of "The Immeasurable Spirit."

Mask artists include children who are patients at the hospice, musicians, celebrities, Denver sports celebrities, and even some political figures, including Michelle Obama and John McCain.

"Sometimes we're fortunate to get someone to sign a mask, and then we'll commission an artist to paint it," said Ms. Bronikowski. "The mask signed by First Lady Michelle Obama is an example of that."

A notable departure from a commissioned work is a mask that was signed by Taylor Swift while she was in town to perform during the first week of April.

"She drew a face on a mask, and we thought it was so cute that we kept it as is," said Ms. Bronikowski.

Funds from the auction of the masks will go toward the construction of the Denver Hospice's new care center, slated to open in December. The hospice cares for over 900 patients in a nine-county area surrounding Denver. It's also the preferred hospice of the Veteran's Administration.

"We realize that our veterans have unique needs," said Ms. Bronikowski. "We provide an important component of end-of-life care as complex problems arise for them during that time."

Volunteers from the 710th Security Forces Squadron assisted in setting up the display, and are scheduled to help tear it down on the evening of April 30.

Online bidding for the masks goes through April 30, and a live auction is held May 1 at the Mask Project Gala. One of the items up for auction is a trip to Cape Canaveral, Fla., funded by United Launch Alliance, to experience first-hand a rocket launch. For more information, visit www.themaskproject.org.