Meet Nora Miller and Kaylee Teesdale from Haddon Heights – these two Glenview Elementary School students are best friends and your typical, happy fifth graders. They enjoy going to school, spending time with one another, going on adventures with their parents and absolutely love arts & crafts.
But these days, life is a little different for these two friends. They know they can’t go to school, play with friends or leave their houses on weekends like they used to – and the reason is COVID-19.
Although young, Nora and Kaylee understand that the coronavirus is very dangerous, and resources are scarce. But even though life is upside down, all these girls want to do is help.
So, every night after they have finished their homework and chores, Nora and Kaylee hop on their sewing machines and sew until bedtime. But the girls are not sewing blankets for their beds or scarves for their stuffed animals anymore – they are making homemade facemasks with protective filters to help protect those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis.
So far, Nora and Kaylee, with the help of some of their classmates at Glenview, have sewn more than 250 protective facemasks and graciously donated them to Volunteers of America Delaware Valley.
The protective masks have been distributed to clients and VOADV’s Safe Return and Navigator program staff who are working around the clock to provide essential services to those in need. Proudly wearing their new hand-sewn protective masks, our staff have been able to continue their outreach efforts safely – partnering with local police on daily outreach missions, distributing meals to those in need with local food banks and shopping for much-needed food and medical supplies for our programs.
Nora and Kaylee’s special sewing project will not stop here – they will continue sewing masks for as long as they are needed throughout this pandemic.
These girls and all those willing to help in these uncertain times have taught us something special – that there is power in hope, and we can accomplish great things together, even when physically apart.
Thank you, Nora and Kaylee, for Giving Us Hope when it is needed most.
