The Women Behind the Masks:
Local Heroes Create More Than 4,500 Masks and Counting Story by Kassidy Fikes
The infamous COVID-19, nicknames the coronavirus, has kept most of us bound to our homes for most of 2020. Some local women have made the most of their time and resources to make sure that those who work on the front lines as well as the public are safe when we have to go out.
5 Jennifer May
These women have been working night and day to make masks of all sizes to protect their communities and those that they love. These are the women behind the masks who have been making a difference.
Jennifer May, wife and mother of three lovely dogs, has been going above and beyond during the pandemic to help her community. Her journey began when a friend sends her a link to hospitals in need, which jumpstarted Jennifer’s need to give back to her community. As a crafter and quilter she had plenty of material to get started; the amazing thing is how quickly things took off. Over the span of 6 weeks, Jennifer has provided masks to over 500 members of her neighborhood, as well as business in the area such as GameStop, Be-renewed Massage, Tin Fin, and Chick-fil-A. To date, Jennifer has made over 2,300 masks.
She is accepting donations of fabric but is only charging $5 per mask so as to not make a profit. What really sets her masks apart from others being made right now is the material—she works with 100% quilting cotton with a tight weave that makes the best filter between the wearer and whomever they are talking to. “Because so many people are making masks, the elastic for the ears is harder to find then toilet paper!” says Jennifer. After the stores and online shopping became less and less immediate, Jennifer took her creativity and turned to hairbands for a snug fit around the ears without all the wait.
44 June/July 2020 | www.EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.com
EFF-June_July2020.indd 44
6/1/20 10:54 AM
