COLLIER CO., Fla. — The local effort to provide face masks continues to help healthcare workers in Southwest Florida.
The faith-based organization, Storytellers Creative Arts, has partnered with local hospitals to help the shortage during the coronavirus.
They say local hospitals provided medical-grade fabric for volunteers to handcraft and sew each mask.
In just two months, SCA volunteers made around a thousand masks that are the alternative model to the N95.
“It has turned into what I would call a movement. We are calling it the SCA mask outreach project. We are spreading help to our doctors and also to the patients that are suffering with COVID-19," said Bill Barnett, SCA president.
Barnett says it requires a team of two or three people and up to two hours to make just one mask.
SCA is always looking for volunteers, especially those who have a sewing machine at home.
The Mask Outreach Project has helped hundreds of workers at Physicians Regional, NCH, and Lee Memorial hospitals.
"The cords of our hearts have been pulled towards love for our neighbor and I think that’s what’s inspiring these volunteers and other people to want to share their gifts and their talent in making these masks," said Barnett.
SCA plans to continue making the N95 alternative mask as long as it’s needed.
Their next phase of the outreach project is to make cloth masks.
The president says while they continue helping local hospitals, they're also planning to help local youth during the pandemic.
“We are creating some more boxes with activities that will go to underprivileged kids," said Barnett.
The boxes will have books, art supplies, and other fun activities to keep kids busy during tough times.
To learn more about the SCA Mask Outreach Project or how to help, visit their website HERE.
