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Special to the News-Herald

A lifetime of sewing has led resident Mildred Hall to fulfill a purpose at Lake Prince Woods.

In a very short period of time, Hall has sewn more than 50 face masks and donated them to the community.

The spread and uncertainty of COVID-19 has brought new restrictions and diminished needed supplies. When asked if she could sew a few face masks for team members at Lake Prince Woods, Hall was quick to get started. She created her own assembly line within her comfortable one-bedroom apartment at Lake Prince Woods, and production began.

“The assembly line gives me an opportunity to break up the tasks,” she said. “I cut the pattern one day, sew them together the next day, and then the elastic ear pieces. Sewing is fun for me, and sewing the masks gives it added purpose.”

Hall learned to sew in home economics class in high school. Her mother was also a good seamstress and passed down her good skills. Hall has sewn clothes for her daughters and made wedding gowns, prom gowns and even furniture slip covers. “I love sewing whether by hand or by machine,” she said. “Three of my daughters enjoy sewing, and they do beautiful work.”

Hall moved to Lake Prince Woods from a farm in Smithfield following her husband’s passing. During her childhood, her parents used to come to Suffolk to shop.

“My mother would shop for fabric here,” she chuckled.

“This is not only a wonderful place to live, it gives life a purpose,” Hall said. “I am a member of the crochet club and we make chemo hats, blankets and hats for babies. Our group also made bedrolls for the homeless. I love doing things for others.”

Hall not only sews but also uses her voice to bring joy to others. She sings in the Lake Prince Woods Golden Voices Choir. “I love singing; it brings me great pleasure.”

Whatever this kind, humble, Christian woman chooses to do, you can bet she is sharing threads of love with her hands and her heart to help others.