By Alyshia Victoria
4-H is a youth development organization where students are taught life skills and decision-making to live better lives, meet goals and become community leaders. As we are all adapting to rapid change and impact in our community, 4-H students are truly stepping up to meet challenges because of what they have learned from the program.
Gracie Tindell, a sixth grade 4-H student who is a part of the Smoky Mountain 4-H Club here in Union County, is one of those students.
Gracie participates in the 4-H program in several ways. You have likely seen her and her family serving our community or sharing what she has learned in 4-H. Well, she is at it again!
As a 4-H student, Gracie learned to sew with 4-H volunteer leader Debby Morgan and the support of her family. She now uses those skills to help younger students learning to sew as a part of “4-H Stitchers,” a monthly sewing project group where UT Extension agents teach students sewing skills. Students work as a team to produce items for themselves and community donation.
In a display of leadership, Gracie has now used skills gained to make cotton face masks to donate for health care workers and community servants in the event they are needed to combat the spread of COVID-19.
“This is how I can help doctors and nurses stay safe,” is how she responded when asked why she decided to work on this project.
Gracie has put in many hours of service and has made over 20 masks and keychain hand sanitizer pouches just this week that will be directly donated to our community. After running out of elastic, she even began working on a more challenging pattern to utilize ribbon she had on hand and make more masks. Her efforts are truly inspiring.
This is the heart of what the 4-H program is all about. Gracie is a young person who is the product of extension agents, volunteer leaders, teen leaders and family devoting time into growing youth to meet their full potential. 4-H participation is open to all youth in fourth through twelfth grade in Union County and there is an activity for all interests.
Please note, while cloth face masks do not provide the same protection as N95 respirator masks, the CDC states they can be used when N95 masks are in short supply (referenced below). CDC statement: “In settings where facemasks are not available, healthcare providers (HCP) might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered personal protective equipment (PPE), since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.”
If you are able to sew cotton masks with materials you have at home to help the UT Extension office meet local need, please contact aphill34@utk.edu or call 865-992-8038 to arrange your donations, which are greatly appreciated in this time of great need of kindness. It is requested that a specific pattern be followed, which will be provided to you.