EAST ALTON - Chrissy Harders has done her part to serve during the COVID-19 Pandemic, with her crochet abilities. Harders has created mask buddies for people who have to constantly have masks on their ears.

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The "mask buddy" as she calls it prevents people who have to have a mask from rubbing and irritation.

"I make them for whoever needs them," she said. "I have created a crocheted piece with two buttons on the ends and it goes to the back of the head and the elastic on the mask doesn't touch people's ears. I have delivered these to Facebook friends, nurses and donated some to nursing homes or whoever needs them."

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Chrissy's mother nominated her as a "Difference Maker" and said she has mailed the mask buddies out for free.

"They are for nurses or anyone that has to wear masks a lot for now," her mother Freda Gaskill said. "She hasn't done it for fame or money, but simply because she has a loving heart."

Chrissy has two grown children and three grandchildren.

Chrissy said she has been crocheting since she was 8 years old and is now 51.

"I make stuff for family and friends now," she said. "I am disabled and I don't work anymore. I have a psychology degree and used to work in nursing homes. I guess I have soft spot and this is my way of giving back."

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