A Lisbon volunteer firefighter has made over 800 extension straps for front-line workers to wear masks in comfort
Cathy Kozlowicz
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Tony Sleck immediately drew on his "nerdy" side to fulfill his desire to help others.
The Lisbon man has used a 3-D printer to create more than 800 surgical mask extension straps — free of charge.
The straps attach to the elastic bands on surgical masks to make them more comfortable.
"Especially because what I have been through, people have always helped me," said Sleck, a volunteer firefighter with the Lisbon Fire Department and a senior designer at Milwaukee Tool.
Live Updates:The latest on coronavirus in Wisconsin
Daily Digest:What you need to know about coronavirus in Wisconsin
Share Your Story:We want to talk to doctors, nurses and others affected by coronavirus
His brother, Chris, died 25 years ago of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a rare genetic heart disease, when he was 14.
When he was diagnosed with the same disease 10 years later, his neighbors — many of whom he barely knew — did Sleck's yard work when he was recovering from surgery.
"It was all the random things people did for me," he said.
He returned the favor by working around the clock to print the surgical mask extension straps for front-line workers, or anyone who might need them.
His wife, Gloria, and daughter, Jenna, help with the administrative side.
"I saw something online and optimized on it," Sleck said.
'Much more comfortable to wear'
Sleck said he got the idea for the surgical mask extension straps from his friends and relatives who are health care providers.
He said they complained the masks tug and hurt their ears.
"They are not comfortable wearing them all day long," he said.
He explained that the straps hook onto the elastic and go around the back of the head, preventing the elastic from rubbing on the backs of people's ears.
"They are just so much comfortable for people who have to wear them," he said.
After making some for friends at the Lisbon Fire Department and through various health care facilities, word got around about his project.
He had requests — which he delivered on — for more than 10 health care facilities, including hospice facilities, Froedtert Menomonee Falls and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Grafton Aurora Healthcare and ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital.
Sleck said his family is now making care packages filled with candy — and each one is fastened with an extension strap.
"Who isn't cheered up with a Snickers bar?" said Sleck.
He said his family has given more than 200 care packages.
"It is in our nature to give back," Sleck said. "This is my way of giving back."
For more information on getting the mask extensions, visit Sleck Family Helps on Facebook.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KozlowiczCathy.
