6 minute read
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.
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.
5 Jennifer May
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.
Carolyn Beasley 4
Carolyn Beasley is the owner and operator of Alterations by Carolyn. This time of year is usually her busiest with prom and wedding coming up but, with the pandemic running rampant, she decided to place her skills somewhere else. She threw herself into making masks for local hospitals and people in the community seven days a week. She estimates that she has made over 2,000 masks.
She is also making mask-like headbands with buttons on them because many nurses and medical personnel are finding that wearing masks all the time are rubbing their ears raw. The button on the headband is an innovative way of keeping the mask from touching the ear. “I can’t take full credit for that one though, I did get the idea from someone else,” Carolyn said.
She is not charging for the masks or the headbands but only asking for donations so that she can continue to buy materials. The excess cash donations she has received she donated to meals for medical to buy meals for our overworked medical staff. “I never planned on doing this to profit at all,” said Carolyn
3 Bridgette Kincade
Bridgette Kincade is an art teacher for Ebenezer Middle School who has taken her time out of school to give back to her community in their time of need.
It all started as a helpful and crafty way to keep busy after the closing of the Effingham County school. With her artistic talent and expertise as an art teacher, she decided to throw herself into making masks. It started as a small project for friends and neighbors but quickly took shape as an essential job.
Her project grew so big that she has made over 350 masks and counting. She is also providing masks for the board of education as they continue their efforts to keep children fed throughout the remaining school year from home.
What really sets Bridgette’s masks apart from the rest is that she takes the time to put filters in them so that they can be used by essential workers such as those in the medical field or military where filters are required.
“I wish I could have told my kids at school to stay safe before we went off for our 2-week break, but I suppose now is that chance! I want everyone in the community to stay safe and keep safe!” said Bridgette.
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