LI Teen Sews Face Masks For Coronavirus Fight

LINDENHURST, NY — A Lindenhurst teenager is using her free time at home to make face masks for people who need them during the coronavirus crisis. Brianna Nelson, 14, started sewing fabric masks after being inspired by people helping the employees of Catholic Home Care, where her mother, Christina, works.

According to Christina Nelson, people were volunteering and making fabric masks for Catholic Home Care staff seeing patients at their homes. So when Brianna heard they were doing that, she obtained instructions on how to make the face coverings and got to work.

"My daughter is pretty crafty," Nelson told Patch. "She pulled out her sewing machine and we got some materials, and she started sewing."

About two years ago, Brianna bought herself a sewing machine but didn't get much use out of it until recently. After the pandemic hit, she took out the machine, learned how to use it and quickly started making masks.

In just two weeks, Brianna made and donated more than 100 face coverings. First, she made about 60 masks for heath care workers. She also gave some to family members and at-risk people in the community who need masks for grocery shopping. Then, her father, who is volunteer firefighter in Albertson in Nassau County, told other firefighters about the coverings and asked Brianna to make some for the firehouse.

She plans to make even more masks. She recently purchased more than 6 yards of fabric but is searching for elastic material. She hopes to donate face coverings to Lindenhurst firefighters, a local nursing home, assisted living facilities and others at risk.

"She just wants to help out as many people as she can," Nelson said. "I think it's wonderful that she's taking the time and taking such an interest to help people in need at this time. She wants to see everyone get back to a normal way of life and be healthy, so this is her way of giving back to the community."

Nelson says Brianna is "more than happy" to help out.

"I think it's important, especially the younger generation, to understand what it means to help people in the community," she said. "[Young people] are our future, so it's important for them to understand when there are people in need, that they reach out and help them in whatever way they can."