Crofton Middle Schooler Makes Masks For Others, Delivers Laptops

CROFTON, MD — Kids stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic sometimes found themselves lost without a rigid school schedule and ample time on their hands. Joshua Oh, who attends Crofton Middle School, decided to put the sewing skills he learned in a family and consumer sciences class to good work and made face masks for others. Joshua used a sewing machine and material donated to him by neighbors in the community to accomplish his task.

"Joshua believes it is important to help others. No matter how old or young you are, you can make a difference in the community. When school went online and we were confined to our home in March, he looked for ways to help even though he couldn't leave the house. He heard that there was a shortage of masks around the country and that's what prompted him to start sewing masks," Joshua's brother Caleb told Patch.

To limit contact during the coronavirus pandemic, Joshua mailed his handmade masks to first responders, hospitals and to immunocompromised neighbors who reached out and requested one of his masks.

Joshua also was concerned about students suddenly stuck at home without access to a computer. He applied to America's Promise Alliance and won a Power of Youth Grant that he then used to purchase laptops for fostered teenagers.

"Without these laptops, the foster teens would not have been able to participate in the summer work program," Caleb said.

Joshua also secured donations of laptops from community members for Baltimore students.

"The kids who received the computers in Baltimore were students who did not have any electronics to access e-learning when schools closed in the spring. He worked with the Teacher's Democracy Project to get the computers distributed," Caleb said.

Recognizing a need for personal care items and baby items during the pandemic by struggling families, Joshua went another step further and gathered up non-perishable food items, diapers, baby wipes, formula and toiletries that he then distributed through pop-up pantries across Anne Arundel County.

"He purchased the items through a grant and received donations from the community," Caleb said.

The boys' mom Margaret gushed over her son's generosity and thoughtfulness during a pandemic that has changed life for many.

"He has taken a challenging time and refocused that energy on serving the community. He’s such a wonderful example for kids and adults. We are so proud of him," she said.