JOANN stores, volunteers make face masks for hospitals

Fabric stores and sewing communities are teaming up to donate hand-made protective masks to hospitals and health care facilities in need during the coronavirus pandemic. The company JOANN jumped on board Monday March 23 by opening it's in-store classes and supplying sewing machines and all the supplies needed at no cost.

JOANN staff are also creating take home kits for customers who prefer making the face masks at home.

District manager Janet Allen said face masks can be dropped off at any Joann store where they will eventually be donated to local hospitals and medical facilities.

The idea originated from online videos of how to create medical face masks, which are short supply because of the new coronavirus.

Amy McConville, a mom in Fairfax county, thinks the initiative is a great opportunity to teach her kids how to see and make a difference.

"My neighbor is an infectious disease doctor, and he is saying the cases are just coming in you know minute by minute.

And our health care workers need the protection and we can do our part in helping them," McConville said.

JOANN stores are also following CDC guidelines and are using alcohol wipes to clean classroom and are limiting class sizes to 10 volunteers at one time.