MURPHYSBORO (WSIL) -- A Murphysboro teen has learned some new skills to help those in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
Murphysboro senior Karlye Happold, 17, has made about 500 face masks to help protect her family and people in her community.
In May, Karlye noticed there was a high demand for masks in southern Illinois. She had watched her grandmother sew many times, so she decided to learn when the pandemic hit.
"It was a lot of hard work and nights staying up very late, but in the end, it all was worth it. This was a very heartwarming job. To know that people will have a mask now and will be safe makes me happy. Just knowing I was doing something good for other people really made me realize that it was something good."
Karlye is a softball player, so she's had to quit making the masks to continue with her travel league. She says she plans to continue sewing and hopefully make different items over time.
She also says she has learned, "that things can happen out of nowhere, so it never hurts to help people out when they need it."
