It takes strength to recover from COVID-19. It takes even more strength to protect others from the spread of the virus. And that’s exactly what Sascha Frowine of Asheville, North Carolina has been doing.

At the beginning of April, Sascha recuperated from what her doctor presumed to be COVID-19 and double pneumonia. That’s when she realized just how necessary washable cotton masks are for everyone. During her recovery, Sascha started sewing fabric masks.

“So far I’ve made several dozen masks for family members and vulnerable friends and neighbors. I’ve sent masks to my daughter, who’s a nurse in Washington, DC and to my son and his wife in Massachusetts,” she says.

Sascha, a yoga instructor and retired psychotherapist, learned how to sew at ten years old and has always been active in her community. She volunteers with WNCAP (Western North Carolina AIDS Project) distributing food and building community within the local YMCA. Sewing masks to protect others made sense.

“I take being a community member very seriously,” says Sascha. Right now, she’s awaiting a delivery of more elastic and 100% cotton fabric for more masks. When she has extras, she’s planning to drop them off to the YMCA for the staff offering free meals and groceries to children and families in the community during the pandemic.

For those looking to join Sascha by making masks for others who may need them, Deaconess is a great resource. You can learn how to make a face mask, as well as find local organizations that are in need of mask donations. At Sperry, we’re inspired by Sascha’s donations and found a local organization, Rosie’s Place, in which we’re proud to donate 200 masks to. These masks will go to their volunteers in need.