A Lexington County family is making face masks for those at high risk of catching the corona virus.

Sarah Lindsey and her daughters Madeline, an 8th grader at Dutch Fork Middle, Penelope, a 6th grader at CrossRoads Intermediate and Norah, a 4th grader at Ballentine Elementary, started a small group on Facebook called Mask Maker Volunteers of South Carolina.

“Several of my close friends work in healthcare, and when the virus situation was new, one of them mentioned a possible shortage in the future of masks, so I took apart an old flu mask and made a few from a blackout curtain we had here in the house,” Lindsey said.

“While researching patterns, I realized that people were already making masks to prepare, and there were CDC approved designs and materials. So I got started, and taught my oldest to make them too.”

While Madeline helps make masks, Penelope helps with ironing and cutting filters and Norah has helped by leaving the masks on the porch for people to pick-up. The masks are available for free to front line workers/high risk populations. The Lindseys have made and given out around 1,500 masks.

They offer porch pick up and deliver masks to the Lexington Medical Center Foundation. Other batches go to juvenile detention centers and home healthcare teams.

“I was born with a defect involving my heart and lungs so I understand the importance of the mask for someone high risk, and making these masks has helped me cope with being stuck at home,” Madeline Lindsey said.

The family has also received support from their neighbors and friends. Many of them provided supplies and money to help with the project.

If you would like a mask, you can go to Mask Maker Volunteers of South Carolina Facebook page for more information.