Prairie Grove, AR-2020

Groups Donate Thousands of Homemade Masks

The Washington County Extension Homemakers Council (EHC), Master Gardeners and 4-H members made and donated more than 5,814 face masks in five weeks to help decrease the spread of COVID-19 virus in Northwest Arkansas. The EHC has a long history of organizing and taking action, especially during times of crisis. They ran soup kitchens during the flu epidemic of 1918 and canned vegetables during the flood of 1927 and throughout the Great Depression. The EHC has been addressing local needs for over a hundred years through community service, education, and leadership development. As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, the EHC found a new way to serve their communities - sewing cloth face masks that can offer some protection to those who have to be out in the public. Local

health care facilities and public safety staff identified the need and asked for sewn face masks. Council members partnered with other local Cooperative Extension Service volunteers to make the needed sewn masks. These volunteers included Washington County 4-H youth members and Master Gardeners, along with their family members and friends. They teamed together to make a difference in Northwest Arkansas. Donated fabric has helped keep costs down, as sewing continues, making more masks daily. These masks have been donated to more than 45 health care, public safety and service facility personnel connected to Northwest Arkansas.

Article courtesy of NWADG

“WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY! We just can’t say that enough.” Staff with Washington County Sheriff’s Office show off their masks they received from Washington County Extension Homemakers Council, Master Gardeners and 4-H members.

• hometown magazine •

3