Jensen Beach woman sews coronavirus masks for House of Hope donations; 2,300 and counting

"Sometimes we're in pieces, sometimes we're hanging on by a thread. But you are not alone and not forgotten. We're in this together." — from Pieces & Threads website

Tammy Graham started with two pieces of fabric to sew face masks for residents in her condominium complex on Hutchinson Island when the coronavirus pandemic first hit.

It quickly spiraled into something much bigger. 

Graham has now made over 2,300 masks for individuals, hospitals, businesses and even a foster care center across 13 states as part of her Pieces and Threads movement. 

Her only form of payment: A donation to Martin County's House of Hope. By July 7, Graham had raised $210 toward a $5,000 goal and collected over 1,000 pounds of food and hygiene products for the charity's pantry. She does not know how many monetary donations have been made directly to House of Hope. 

"The next thing I knew, I had about 60 to 80 (masks) going out a day," said Graham, 54, of Jensen Beach. "It feels incredible. It just tells me that with a simple idea, I can help a lot of people."

Masks have been donated to local businesses such as Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital, a foster care center in Indiana and thousands of residents in states including Oklahoma, New York and Georgia. 

Sewing therapy

Sewing was a form of therapy for Graham, who was diagnosed at birth with cerebral palsy, a congenital body movement and muscle coordination disorder.

Cutting fabric, ironing cloth and making masks kept her body moving when the COVID-19 outbreak forced Graham to quarantine inside her home, she said. But, it didn't come without pain. 

Graham would have to take a few days off due to muscle spasms or tight tendons, she said, sometimes not being able to turn her head. When she was able to resume, Graham would sew from dawn to dusk. 

The initiative was made all the more meaningful when Graham was able to give back to House of Hope, an organization she has used herself for its food pantry and counseling services. 

"I just wanted to help and everybody just jumped on board with me," she said. "It’s wonderful to see what pieces of thread and fabric could do."

Graham is undergoing surgery and will be immobile for at least a few weeks, but she said she hopes to get back on her feet as soon as possible to continue making masks. 

Residents can donate to House of Hope through Graham's GoFundMe or to House of Hope online at hohmartin.org/donate. Food donations can be dropped off at any of the organization's four food pantries. 

Catie Wegman is a community reporter who also produces "Ask Catie," an occasional feature to find answers to your burning questions about anything and everything — the more bizarre the better. Support her work with a TCPalm subscription. Contact her at catie.wegman@tcpalm.com or 772-221-4211 and follow her @Catie_Wegman on Twitter and @catiewegman1 on Facebook.