Leesburg woman, 98, sews hundreds of masks for health care workers, community

LEESBURG, Fla. — Martha Sereno said her 98-year-old mother, Rachel Smith, is working day after day for the past three weeks sewing hundreds of masks for first responders and others in her community.

Smith, who turns 99 in July, and Sereno have worked to create more than 400 masks, including over 100 the past weekend.

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“We have given around 50 masks to the emergency room, some to local stores and doctors’ offices,” Sereon said.

Smith has been in Leesburg since 1941 and other member of her family first moved to Lake County, since before it was Lake County, Sereno said.

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She said they have gathered all the material for the masks from friends in their “quilters community.”

When asked how long they intend to make masks, Sereno said, “The fabric hasn’t run out yet.”

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