13-Year-Old Boy Who Made Bow Ties To Help Animals Get Adopted Is Now Sewing Masks For Coronavirus Crisis

May 01, 2020 by apost team

New Jersey teenager Darius Brown had already made a name for himself three years ago when he started sewing adorable bow ties to help shelter animals get adopted. But in an effort to yet again give back to his community, the 13-year-old announced on Instagram in March that he would be using his tailoring talents to make masks for healthcare workers in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

Darius first attracted widespread media attention when he launched Beaux and Paws back in 2017. The young man came up with the idea after he witnessed the devastation that Hurricane Harvey and Irma wrought on his community, especially the many dogs and cats who were displaced by the natural disasters, according to Today. Because of the sheer volume of shelter animals, Darius learned that they would be euthanized if they weren’t adopted, and that got the teen thinking — how could he help?

Combining his passion for animals and creating bowties, Darius launched Beaux and Paws, which donates bow ties to animal shelters across the country “to help the displaced dogs look dapper and cute” and to increase adoption rates, according to Darius’ website. Even former President Barack Obama, who sent the young man a personal letter, was impressed with Darius’ community spirit, writing that, “As long as you stay engaged with the world around you, continue looking for ways to help others, and never give up on yourself, I’m confident our future will be bright.” And if his most recent project is any indication, Darius seems to have heeded Obama’s advice.

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On March 29, Darius took to his Instagram — which has amassed an impressive following — to post the following announcement: “I hope everyone is safe & healthy and staying home during this crisis we are facing. Today I am working on creating surgical masks to donate since the hospitals have a shortage on masks. This first one came out great. Let’s all work together, help out where we can, and especially practice social distancing so we can all get through this pandemic.”

Since then, Darius has updated his followers on his his efforts to making masks for healthcare workers during this particularly trying period in history. Better Homes & Gardens reports that as of April 21, Darius had made at least 75 masks with more to come. While fans have asked whether the 13-year-old wunderkind can make his masks for sale, so far Darius has focused his efforts on mask donations to healthcare workers. For supporters who would like to help, Darius has launched a GoFundMe campaign, which helps cover the costs of supplies and fabric. The New Jersey teenager has raised over $55,000 thus far.

Darius, who doctors diagnosed with a speech, comprehension and fine motor skills delay, turned to sewing at the age of eight, Better Homes & Gardens reports, to improve his dexterity, and ever since then he’s used his newfound skills to give back to the community. And that’s something we can all learn from during this historical time of uncertainty and adversity.

How have folks in your community contributed to the fight against the coronavirus? What do you think of Darius' story? Let us know and pass this heartwarming story on to friends and family members who might need a bit of positivity in their lives.