CLEVELAND — After putting out a call for volunteers to help make face masks for health care workers, University Hospitals has announced it has reached its goal of 100,000 mask donations.
University Hospitals began distributing kits to volunteers at the end of March and within a month the volunteers returned 100,000 fabric masks to the hospital system.
In addition to the masks, volunteers also brought back hand-written notes to thank and encourage health care workers on the frontlines of COVID-19.
“We are overwhelmed and grateful for the response we received,” said Dr. Randy Jernejcic, Vice President of Clinical Integration at University Hospitals. “Whether one volunteer sewed 10 masks or a group of volunteers donated thousands, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every person who gave their time and talents to this cause.”
University Hospitals has begun distribution of the masks to staff. The homemade cloth masks can be worn by patients, visitors and any caregiver who is not in direct contact with COVID-19 patients or suspected COVID-19 patients, according to the hospital.
Donations of masks sewn by volunteers with their own materials are still being accepted. University Hospitals encourages volunteers to follow the UH-specific design that can be found here.
