PCHS Junior using childhood skill to help others

Polk County High School Junior, Madison Geddings, has found a way to stay “close” to her neighbors during this period of social distancing. Normally consumed with school, sports and friends, she has fabricated a new means to connect with others: sewing face masks to help protect her neighbors from the Coronavirus.

After school closed, Madison spent her first couple of weeks like most students; being outside and enjoying the warm weather. That all changed after Polk County announced its first case of the Coronavirus. “Things just seemed more serious and all too close to home”, Madison said, so she wanted to find a way that she could help her local community.

A few weeks ago, Madison heard about a family friend, Cathy, who is working in a hospital in Atlanta and is only allowed one N95 mask per week. To protect the N95 mask and to make it last longer, Cathy began using a cloth mask on top of it. This gave Madison the inspiration of how she could help others, by making cloth masks to give to Cathy and to donate locally.

When Madison was in grade school, her Nana taught her how to sew. They enjoyed spending time together creating simple projects like pillowcases, tote bags, and skirts.

In sixth grade, Madison was also able to make clothes with the 4H program for their fashion show. Her

love of sewing has continued but, until recently, has been put on the back burner due to school and associated activities.

Armed with her background in sewing and her passion for helping her local community, Madison got to work. Immediately she was presented with two hurdles: she had never made a mask and she no longer had a sewing machine. Luckily, thanks to the generosity of a friend, she was able to borrow a sewing machine and through watching a YouTube video, she learned the measurements and steps to sew a cloth mask. She immediately got to work.

After using up all the leftover fabric sitting around the house, Madison has reached out to her Nana,

friends and a local tailor who have graciously donated remnants that she has been busy turning into

masks.

Madison is interested in working in a healthcare career when she gets older. She is excited to help her Polk County neighbors stay healthy and to become part of the solution. The masks she has made so far have gone to her family, her neighbors and, of course, Cathy, the healthcare worker in Atlanta that inspired her.

With more fabric on the way, Madison will continue to make and distribute cloth masks to as many people as she can.

Submitted by Lori Geddings