Mask-Maker, Mask-Maker, Make Me a Mask
By Hayley Rea--Eagle Staff Writer
During the pandemic, masks have become essential for everyone when leaving home, which has created a need for people, such as the Teer family, to produce these items for their communities.
“[We’re] glad we could help our neighbors,” said Amanda Teer, a producer behind the family project.
The Teer family made about 2,000 masks as well as 200 hats and 100 headbands for local families and businesses in need.
“We’ve put in a lot of work from cutting out the pattern, to washing the fabric, to cutting elastic, to sewing them together, and packaging them for delivery,” senior Allison Teer explained.
The family sent their homemade items to many local organizations such as Franklin Health and Rehabilitation, Franklin County Parks and Recreation, Sontag Elementary, and Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
“Thank you so much Amanda Teer and family for the donation of all these masks. They will be put to great use here at the Essig Recreation Center,” a Franklin County Parks and Recreation representative commented about the items in a Facebook post.
The Teers’ also sent their masks out of state to relatives in Florida, West Virginia, Texas, Michigan, and Massachusetts.
“I’ve really appreciated the quality time it gave me with my family,” Allison said about the family project.
Many of the people who received masks from the Teer family took to Facebook to express their gratitude with the family and other members of the community.
“Thank you Amanda Teer and daughters for making my ASG Team protective gear for our disaster relief Child Care facility,” Renada Myers, a healthcare worker, shared in her post.
All of the protective gear made was sent off to people in need, whether it be families, healthcare workers, or businesses.
“We made lots of [hair coverings] for healthcare workers because COVID can be transferred through hair follicles,” Allison explained about the donations to frontline workers.
Despite putting time, energy, and money into making these essentials, the only profit the Teers’ accepted from their customers was donations.
“We never asked anyone for money no matter the quantity of masks requested,” said Allison. “We took donations from individuals as many were eager to contribute to our cause.”
Many people involved in the family project were grateful to have been a part of the cause that provided a chance to give back to their community.
“Overall it’s been a lot of work but I’m glad to have experienced that quality time with my family before I go off to college and give a newfound essential to a lot of people,” Allison concluded.