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ALEXANDRIA — An Alexandria woman and her family are doing their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
On average, Stephanie Ellis and team of three are making 60-70 protective face masks a day.
Ellis is used to making sleep caps for those battling cancer, but now with her store and salon closed she says she needed to do something else with her time.
“We just decided we can do this. My mom has been a quilter for many years. She’s sewn all of our clothes,” Ellis said.
So they got to sewing and made dozens of masks for the health care providers and the Community Cancer Care in Anderson a place close to Ellis’ heart.
“I’m a little over five years cancer-free. I was Stage 4, and so many people were so generous to me they raised all kinds of funds for me because I had to retire and this is just my way of giving back,” Ellis said. “Any time you have chemo, you are immunocompromised, so it’s not like I can be out there helping on the front lines so I’m just staying in the one bay garage area sewing like a crazy person."
Her masks are $10 each. With the proceeds, she is making more masks to donate to health care professionals in her area. Ellis said people have donated supplies, given money and so much more to help her cause.
“We are thankful from the bottom of our hearts for the support they have given us,” said Ellis.
If you are interested in buying a mask or know of a place that can use these masks Ellis is taking orders through her website, thesleepcap.com.