SWFL seamstress behind 5,000 masks made for those in need

More than 5,000 masks made by one community, because one Babcock Ranch woman wanted to “sew” her support for those in need.

“It’s just nice to know that I’m making a difference, that they feel safer,” said Jacky Fischer.

She says she’s been stitching since the age of five.

“I’m a professional seamstress and so I saw there was this desperate need for masks,” she said. “So I started making them and then I felt, I can’t make enough of them fast enough to make a difference and so I put the post out on the Facebook page for Babcock.”

Since then, she has inspired dozens of her neighbors to spend their time in isolation making masks too.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by how many people have offered to help,” she said, helping her, while working at a social distance, to provide protective gear to people who reach out to her.

“We get all the requests in from all the different hospitals and doctor’s offices, a couple of restaurants, we’ve seen them too. We’ve even sent masks as far as Walter Reed up in Maryland, all over the place,” Fischer said. “And I know that should make me happy, but it makes me kind of sad that we need to do it.”

So she’ll keep doing it as long as she can use her sewing skills to help.

Fischer greatly appreciates anyone able to donate fabric, elastic or other materials for her sewing.

If you’d like to help out, she says the best way to reach her is to text 239-839-0215.