April 3, 2020
Volunteer for EveryStep During the COVID-19 Pandemic
EveryStep’s top priority is the safety and health of its employees, volunteers and the people in our care. As the situation with COVID-19 changes, EveryStep has taken daily steps to make sure our workforce is informed, healthy and prepared to respond.
What you need to know:
Effective March 16 2020, most in-person volunteer services or visits have been suspended until further notice. Many of our volunteers are at high risk, so we are proactively taking steps to protect their health and the health of the people we serve.
Because most in-person volunteer opportunities have been suspended for the time being, we have come up with volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer Opportunities
•Phone Call Visits With Patients
• Assist with a number of tasks at EveryStep Giving Tree Thrift Store
• Send Cards or Letters to Patients. Become a pen pal!
• Sew fabric masks for EveryStep caregivers
If you have questions, please contact Megan Mondt at 515-223-4847 or mmondt@everystep.org.
Sew Masks for Healthcare Providers
While handmade fabric face masks are NOT a substitution for N95 masks, in times of emergency, the CDC may allow handmade fabric masks to be used when critical shortages take place. You can read more about the use of homemade masks on the CDC's website.
According to the CDC website "homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face."
In addition to helping medical staff during critical shortages, these masks can be used at home as well. While wearing homemade face masks will not prevent against catching a respiratory illness, they can help reduce the spread of large particles when someone sneezes or coughs.
What You'll Need
SUPPLIES:
2 pieces cotton fabric 6" x 9"
1 piece cotton flannel or interfacing 6" x 9"
2 elastic strips 1/8" x 6” women, 7” men, 5” children
Kids size: make fabric 5”x7”, and elastic 5” long.
* Use tightly woven fabric, or hospital grade material.
* Keep in mind men and women will be wearing the masks when choosing fabric for mask that will be donated.
OUT OF ELASTIC? Use ribbon or fabric ties 18”-20” in length.
For fabric ties: use a strip 1”x 18-20”. Fold one short end 1/4” in and sew. Next fold the fabric strip long edges in so they meet in the center then fold in half length again. Sew down the open edge to secure. Place the tie with the raw edge next to the corners of the mask just like the elastic was. Tip: Make sure not to sew over the loose end of the tie as you sew around the mask.
