Abbie Ashcraft Serves Community with Much-Needed Masks
4/8/2020 10:50:00 AM | Field Hockey
The Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in massive disruptions to life around the globe and here in America, as we collectively seek to flatten the curve and stop the spread of the infectious respiratory illness that has already affected more than 200,000 here in the United States.
The hope is that by systematic social distancing, we can slow the spread and lessen the burden on hospitals that are trying to treat a virus that requires hospitalization for many of those infected.
That's already led to shortages in supplies for medical professionals across the country.
That's where Wake Forest field hockey player Abbie Ashcraft and her mother Melissa have tried to help.
"We were trying to think of ways to help the community in whatever way was needed," Abbie said. "We heard about the mask shortages, so my mom decided to do it.
"She measured and cut out the ribbon piece for what goes around the ear. Then she found a template for the masks, and used some fabric that we had to sew them up. We gave them out to friends."
But what started off as a community project expanded, as the Ashcrafts started sending some of their masks to St. Joe's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a medical facility about 35 minutes away.
"We're giving them to the nurses and patients there," Abbie said. "Everyone seems really appreciative. It just gives a layer of protection. There's been a positive reception."
While staying true to social distancing protocols themselves, the Ashcrafts have found some other ways to help.
"We're trying to stay inside as much as we can," Abbie said. "But we are helping out some of our neighbors. My mom has been going to the grocery story for a neighbor who can't get out. We hope it's hit its peak, but we know our area has been hit hard and we're trying to avoid that."
The spring break for Wake Forest student-athletes was extended by a week and then classes were moved online for the rest of the spring semester in reaction to the pandemic.
"It's been a weird transitional period, for sure," Ashcraft said. "Going from being busy all day long, to having now just class and field hockey is weird. I'm used to running all day and not really having a break. Now I'm just sitting around.
"They are going well. I'm not as busy as I thought I'd be, but I don't know if that will change. I have work, but it's not the same. I think some of our professors are overwhelmed."
While she's still staying in shape and getting work done both on the field and in the classroom, the social aspect of college is completely different for Ashcraft.
"The biggest adjustment has been not being around my teammates and coaches," she said. "Having class and being by myself is just hard. I like to be around people. You're with people, but it's virtually. It's so different.
"We have weekly team meetings on Friday on WebEx. The coaches are giving us different things to do. David Bass, our strength and conditioning coach, is sending us workouts. We have a lot of stuff to do, but it's all taking place virtually."
The Deacs had a strong spring practice schedule before the break and believe they have a big season in store in 2020.
"I'm just focused on the goals we have for next season," Ashcraft said. "Coach Jen Averill has started sending a daily positive message out to the group. Those are some of the things that keep me going.
"They worked us really hard. Going into spring break we all thought we probably needed the week break. We had no idea we'd have all this time off. We grew so much in the month we had, and it bodes well for next season."
Though there's been changes aplenty, Ashcraft has been happy with the communications she's received from the field hockey coaching staff and the entire Wake Forest athletic department.
"We've had a lot of information sent our way," she said. "Everyone in the athletic department has been really helpful with tutoring, training and all the aspects of what we're dealing with. We're pretty in the loop."
