WESTON, W.Va. – Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital has received hundreds of homemade masks provided by local seamstresses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Susie Heath of Roanoke has provided an abundance of handmade masks to Lewis County communities, and has made 1000 masks as of Sunday, June 28. Several local organizations have benefitted from the masks made by Heath including Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial, the Lewis County Health Department, Energy Express and the Lewis County Virtual 4-H Camp. The homemade masks made by Heath have also been distributed among her family and friends.

“In addition to local distribution, I have sent masks to states including Maryland, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia,” Heath explained. “It began as a service project for our Community Education Outreach Service Club. I started sewing for the club because I wanted to keep others safe, and I have really enjoyed myself while doing so. Several other Lewis County CEOS members have assisted on this project and are making masks shared with Upshur and Braxton counties also.”

Heath received donations of material and elastic from the Lewis County Health Department, family and friends. She uses the simple pattern of a six inch by nine-inch square, which is pleated with elastic to go around the ears. She has also created them for children with a seven by five-inch pattern. In addition to the standard elastic, Heath has used various other materials to assemble the earpieces including straps, macramé and ribbon.

Wearing facemasks is important for protection during the COVID-19 pandemic and can prevent transmission of the illness. The CDC recommends masking in public settings, especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.