COVID-19 has impacted the lives of everyone.  Some of the impacts have been positive and some not so positive.   The Bourbon County Extension Homemakers, in typical Homemaker fashion, have stepped up during this pandemic to support and assist our community in overcoming some of the day-to-day obstacles presented. In the middle of face masks shortages, the Homemakers took on the task of making handmade masks for Bourbon Community Hospital, Paris Independent Elementary Schools, and local individuals in need of protective wear.   The Homemakers were very eager to take on this task of sharing their skill but patiently waited until the University of Kentucky used research-based information to give them the “go ahead” for using the best practices methods of constructing and distributing these items.  

During a time of shortage of supplies, the Homemakers shared their stashes of fabric and elastic to help others in need.  They also recruited non-members to assist them with this undertaking.  In total the organization and their helpers constructed over 1100 face masks that were distributed to others.  This call to action by the Bourbon County Homemakers did not go unnoticed by various agencies in the community.  The hospital and schools expressed their thanks for the unselfish response to needs of Paris and Bourbon County residents.  Individual elementary teachers were very appreciative of having child size face masks to offer their students and most were of made of children’s prints and action figure fabrics.  This help with enforcing the mandatory masks restrictions in the classrooms.

The Bourbon County Extension Homemakers used this opportunity to help others, make a positive statement in their community and to recruit members that chose to assist with the project.