3Cs, community members donate to protect first-responders

Members of the 3Cs (Cancer and Community Charities) Twisted Stitchers and Crafty Crew activity groups donated more than 250 handmade fabric face masks to Kootenai Health and Heritage Health on Friday.

The benevolent organization normally holds numerous social gatherings and events while collecting money for local charities, so it's only natural, with their events suspended, that these ladies put their time and talent to work for medical personnel and first-responders out in the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We’re just trying to help the heroes that are out on the frontlines,” said Twisted Stitchers chair Phyllis Mixon. "It means a lot that our group steps up and works on it."

Rhonda Newton, chair of the Crafty Crew, said she put the call out to her creative peers and had a great response.

"I said, 'Ladies, you know the saying, Crafters gotta craft, and sewers gotta sew? That's us.' If we're not crafting we’re going stir crazy," Newton said. "Our ladies were all over this. We're so giving anyway, it's heartwarming to be able to help the community."

Newton said the members who don't sew collected 100 pounds of food for the food bank.

On March 21, the Kootenai Health Foundation put a call out to the community for homemade protective masks. By early Wednesday, it announced the community filled that need and then some, but those who still have some to donate may do so. The foundation noted: "Although there is a national shortage of masks, at Kootenai Health we are not out of supplies. We have been monitoring our supplies daily, following the CDC guidelines and are working very hard to ensure our frontline caregivers have the protection they need. Fabric masks can be a supplement to our regular personal protective equipment supplies. This is an unusual ask and is in response to a national shortage of masks."

Foundation President Julie Holt in an announcement Friday said that Kootenai Health appreciates everyone who has come forward to offer donations. She said those who want to help can donate to the Kootenai Health Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund, www.kootenaihealth foundation.org/donate-online.

The Kroc Center will continue serving as a drop-off and distribution location for Kootenai County Emergency Operations Center to collect donations to support local fire/EMS/law enforcement agencies. It can accept hand sanitizer, paper towels, sanitizing wipes, disinfectant spray/cleaners and safety eyewear Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene.