CASSVILLE, NY – Even though the number of positive coronavirus cases seems to have leveled off in New York, the need for protective face masks is still great among area hospital workers and first responders.

Barb and Steve Allen have stepped up to meet that demand.

The Cassville couple is making the much-needed masks from their home.

The Allens say they average making between 80 and 100 masks a day.

So far they have made a little over 14 hundred masks, donating them to area hospitals and first responders.

Needless to say, all that production has come at a cost.

Steve says his wife has already “burned up” three sewing machines.

“Unfortunately the home machine is not designed to run 8 to 10 hours a day. We were fortunate that when she broke her third one, three ladies stepped up and donated their machines. They didn’t want anything for them. They didn’t want anything back. They just said come and get them.”

In addition to the donated sewing machines, many people have also left fabric and other materials needed to make the masks outside their Cassville home.

The Allens are now making the masks available to the general public for $5.