Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, community members have reached out to serve anyone in need.
Donna Moriarty is doing her part one stitch at a time.
Moriarty began making masks near the beginning of March after hearing of teachers needing masks to deliver food and classwork to students.
“When the virus thing came up, I knew people were gonna benefit from wearing a mask,” she said.
A retired nurse practitioner and former professor at the Medical College of Georgia, Moriarty said she was able to understand the needs the virus would cause.
Moriarty heavily endorsed the use of masks saying, “Masks not only protect us, but most importantly, they protect others.”
Since her initiative began, Moriarty has sewn over 300 masks that have been distributed to residents and staff at Blue Ridge Assisted Living, Snack in a Backpack as well as friends and family members.
When she gives people a mask, her only request is that they actually wear it out, she said.
“(I’ve) sewed for 27 days straight,” she said while laughing. “It keeps ya busy. I’ve not been bored. Other people, they’ve got the cleanest house they’ve ever had, I have a cluttered sewing room.”
Moriarty expressed appreciation to everyone in the community who has made masks for others as well as those who have been wearing masks.