Helping Hands And Sewing Machines In Overton

What started as a project of volunteers sewing face masks for Overton County EMS has grown.

20 volunteers created, sewed and produced 300 masks. Overton County UT Ag Extension Director Christina Swallows said now the requests are coming in from across the county line.

“Putnam County Postal Service has contacted one of our FCE, Family Community Educator Clubs, and have asked that they make 150 masks for the post office down there and also the Cookeville Hospital Home Health Group has contacted another FCE member asking for masks for their group as well,” Swallows said.

Inspiration for the project stemmed from a Zoom meeting with agents in Wilson and Dekalb counties where similar volunteer efforts were taking place, Swallows said. Once Swallows began reaching out to medical facilities and determined there was a need in Overton County, the mask project began.

Swallows posted the patterns for the masks to social media to help volunteers. The masks are constructed from either two or three layers of 100% cotton.

If you would like to volunteer your time or donate goods to the project, call the Overton County Ag Extension Office.