For the past four months, Gayle Morris Nobles has made over 1,000 hand-made masks and given them out for free to Clarendon County residents. Nobles sat down for an Editors Office Interview to discuss this charitable act of kindness.
How long have you been making these masks?
I began making them as soon as the virus began and people had to start wearing masks. That’s been three or four months now.
And you have no plans of slowing down, right?
Not at all! I have actually started working overtime making them.
And you are giving them out completely free?
I am, I do take donations however, but they are free. I’m making them and giving them away.
That is incredible, it really is.
Well I was making them for my daughter and her work place, and funny enough she didn’t like the ones I was making. So I kept trying to make one that she would, and eventually she told them that they were getting so many masks donated anyway. But the Lord told me I needed to do something, and I just had to find a way to help out. So, I saw that the cases were going higher and higher in Manning, and I sat down and said “That’s what I’m going to do, that’s how I’m going to help.”
You hand them out on Saturday’s right?
I hand them out in the parking lot across from the First Baptist Church in Manning.
Oh, okay. So right near the Fire Station?
That’s right.
What do you make the masks out of?
I make them out of 100% cotton material. I also save a small pocket on the inside for the filter, which the CDC recommends. I use a coffee filter when I make them, which is also CDC approved. I also use the nose piece so they will fit tightly around your nose.
How long does it take you to make a mask?
About five minutes.
Did it take you that long when you started?
Oh no, it took me a little bit longer.
And you’ve kind of gotten used to it now?
Yeah, my machine was messing up as well. However, my daughter and my son-in-law bought me a new sewing machine for my birthday. I can make them a lot faster now.
Where do you get the materials from?
Hobby Lobby, as well as donations. I am so thankful for all of the materials I have had donated to me so that I can continue to make these masks.
Is there anything you are running short on?
Elastic bands. I am running very low on elastic bands. We have ordered a handful but I’m worried they won’t be here for a few months. I think I can get through the next few weeks however.
Do you have a lot of people coming by on Saturdays?
Oh yeah. I take over 100 masks down every Saturday and they’re all gone within an hour. I have taken well over 1,000 now.
How does that make you feel?
It makes me so happy. And people tell me how thankful they are that I’m doing this. I just have to tell them that it isn’t me doing it, it is the Lord. The Lord is working through me for this.
