Three young at heart Frankfort residences, Angie Palmer, Debi Newman and Leslie True, decided that stay at home and stay healthy means give something back. All three recently became members of the Frankfort Elks Lodge #530, in part to find ways to give back to the community. Soon after becoming Elks members, the Coronavirus happened. That is when the women went into high gear. In less than a month, the three women have hand sewn over 700 personal protection masks for use in the battle against COVID-19.
Debi said, “COVID-19 has spun our lives as we know it, off its axis. Making masks is not only a way to help others stay safe, but will hopefully shorten the time we spend away from family and friends.”
Requests for the home sown masks have come from medical professionals, hospice workers, nursing homes and individuals from across the country, as well as from people in their home community of Frankfort. The masks have gone to locations in New York, Oklahoma, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, Iowa, Texas, even the Virgin Islands, and as close to home as Bradford Square skilled nursing facility located in Frankfort. Angie added, “As a believer in the power of prayer, I pray that recipients of these masks are kept safe from COVID-19.”
As the requests pour in, Angie, Debi and Leslie mail the masks as fast as they can make them. They estimate that it takes between 30-45 minutes to produce one mask, although the process is done in stages by bulk. “What I am doing by making the masks, is nothing compared to what the front-line health care workers are doing. I pray that everyone stays safe and healthy,” explained Leslie.
All three women vowed to continue sewing until the pandemic is over.
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