Community Comes Together for Pad Project in Komoka
KOMOKA - A casual conversation at the Komoka Library's 'Koffee House' has grown into a grassroots initiative to provide accessible menstrual care through reusable fabric pads—handmade by the community for those in need.
Librarian Lynn Boaz-Watson was moved to act after hearing a radio segment about the lack of access to menstrual products in nearby London. 'It really surprised me to hear that this was still a problem in our own area,' she said. When she brought the topic to the Koffee House group—who meet every other Wednesday to chat over coffee and discuss current issues—they encouraged her to do something about it. 'Their encouragement stayed with me, and I decided to launch the Period Pad Project.'
The project focused on creating reusable pads that are more sustainable and affordable than single-use alternatives. With the help of a local volunteer, Carrie Maughan, a sewing pattern and step-by-step instructions were developed. Sewing machines from other Middlesex County Library branches were brought in, and Lynn began organizing workshops and assembling take-home kits.
Fabric Land in London and Fabric Fair in Strathroy donated materials, and community members—particularly women, many of them seniors—answered the call. 'A lot of them said, 'I don't use these, but I'd be happy to make them,'' Boaz-Watson explained. 'So, I put together kits with fabric, instructions, and sewing clips, and they got to work.'
The results were impressive: nearly eight dozen pads were sewn and donated, many of which will be distributed through Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) in Strathroy, which supports youth under 25. Donations of disposable products were also received, with nearly 800 items collected. 'Some people couldn't sew but still wanted to help—and they did, generously,' she said.
Groups like the Komoka Stitch N' Chat, who meet weekly at the library to knit, crochet, or sew, also contributed to the effort. Lynn emphasized that this success belongs to the entire Komoka community. 'It shows how people can come together and create real impact when they care.'
She now hopes to expand the project to other regions. 'My goal is to share this idea with other library systems and help more communities replicate it,' she said. 'It's not just about sewing reusable pads… it's about offering practical solutions and support, restoring dignity, and creating lasting change through kindness.'
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