Local mom makes and sells masks for son’s medical fund
Published 9:15 am Friday, April 10, 2020
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Contributed Photo The masks Andrews creates come in a wide variety of designs.
Contributed Photo Kristal Andrews wanted to create a mask to keep her son safe during COVID-19.
For Kristal Andrews, what started as creating a mask for her son during the coronavirus pandemic soon turned into so much more.
Andrews said she began scouring the web for how to make a mask for her son, who has a terminal brain disease similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
“If he gets a cold, he can’t fight it,” she said. “So, I thought I needed to do something to protect him.”
After she created a mask for him and posted it on her Facebook, more people wanted one. Andrews now has orders waiting to be filled with people wanting masks. These masks come in children and adult sizes, and come in a variety of looks. She said she sends customers pictures of her fabric, and they are able to choose what they like. The masks consist of four layers, and even have a pocket for a filter to be placed in and removed during washing. Elastic is also used in the masks as well.
“Because I wanted to protect my son, it has like four layers of fabric, and everything, and takes a bit longer to make,” she said.
These masks are sold for $10 each, which Andrews wanted to keep reasonable. Profits from the masks go towards her son’s medical fund to help pay for things that insurance won’t cover, like trips to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Andrews, who had previously created and sold memory blankets and bears out of old shirts and pillows, says she will continue to make masks as long as people are wanting them.
She said the wait for masks is generally a few days, with her sitting at her sewing table an average of 10 to 11 hours per day filling orders.
Mask designs are posted to her Facebook page under the name Kristal Vines-Andrews. This is also where people can contact her to make an order and also set up payment information. Andrews is also accepting donations on materials should she run out. Sewing fabrics, gently used clothing and elastic from headbands are especially useful due to shortages at this time.
“Just give me a private message, and if I don’t respond right away, I promise I will. I’m just trying to stay caught up and do them as they come in,” she said. “Just be patient, don’t give up and don’t think I’m ignoring you.”
