Central Regional Para's Bowtie Biz Makes, Donates Hospital Masks

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — Terrance Hardy noticed years ago that most bowties sold in stores look a little plain. So the Central Regional paraprofessional stepped in and started a business: LookForMeBowties.

Now Hardy's fabric plays another role besides brightening the bowtie world. He has created cloth face masks for medical professionals as they fight the new coronavirus.

Hospitals throughout the country have faced significant shortages of personal protective equipment, including N-95 face masks during the pandemic. Some donated masks haven't even been usable because the elastic has rotted, according to a recent inspector general report.

The Center for Disease Control recommends people wear cloth masks in public settings where social distancing is difficult. The agency says people should reserve N-95 respirators or surgical masks for health care workers and first responders.

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But Hardy — also a Central Regional paraprofessional — found a way to help as shortages remain. Having owned his bowtie business for several years, he recently asked in an Instagram post whether any nurses or medical personnel needed face masks. He received several responses.

"There’s a demand still," Hardy said. "I still get some (personnel) reaching out to me. There’s a shortage of elastic now. We had a problem with toilet paper. Now it’s a problem with elastic."

It's likely not the situation Hardy imagined when he started LookForMeBowties. He didn't know how to sew at the time, but he spoke with tailors who taught him some tricks.

Then Hardy taught himself to make face masks. Although the article of clothing is different, he carried the snazzy designs with him. Available mask themes include sports teams, autism awareness and superheroes.

Hardy put some masks up for sale on his website, and he's already made several donations. He made 50 for nurses working the overnight shift at New York University's children's hospital. Hardy has also given masks to a hospital in Missouri and to family in the medical field.

As the requests keep coming, Hardy will work to fill that need.

"I was just doing it from my heart," Hardy said. "I just wanted to help out and find a solution to what’s going on."

Click here for the LookForMeBowTies web page.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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