Personal Protection Equipment Donations Needed for Healthcare Workers

SIU Medicine will start acception COVID-19 donations from the community from 1-4 p.m., Wednesday, March 25. 

The donations can include clean masks (including N95 masks, handmade, sewn masks, gowns, gloves, hand santitzer, bleach wipes and alcohol wipes to help with the national shortage during the COIVD-19 outbreak. Sewn masks may be used for patients and non-clinical colleagues to help provide a protective barier so that medical grade N-95 masks may be conserved for our clinical providers. 

For those who wish to make masks, the following criteria must be followed: 

Supplies and Cutting Instructions

Please only use new fabric for masks. No used t-shits or bedding. Exterior Fabric
Cotton fabric – tightly-woven fabric such as quilting cotton
Cut one at 9” wide by 6” tall

Interior Fabric
Knit fabric or flannel
Cut one at 9” wide by 6” tall
Ties
Cotton fabric – tightly-woven fabric such as quilting cotton
Cut 2 at 2” by 44” -OR- use pre-packaged bias tape, extra wide double fold, .5” wide

Step 1: Make Ties

To create your own ties, use a 25mm bias tape maker. OR the fabric can be ironed by folding the width fabric (2”) in half and press. It will now measure 1” by about 44”. Then, unfold the fabric and fold each raw edge into the center crease and press. Fold in half once more. The tie will now measure 1/2” by about 44”. Set ties aside.

If using pre-packaged bias tape, cut two pieces that are about 40” long. (It’s OK to cut at 36” long so you can get 3 ties out of a package!)

Step 2: Sew Mask

Place the exterior and interior fabrics right sides together. Sew the top and bottom (9” side) using a 1/4” seam allowance. Turn right side out and press. Next, create the pleats. Fold the fabric so there are 3 even pleats on each side and top stitch using 1/4” seam allowance.

Step 3: Attach Ties

Match the center of one tie and the center of one pleated side. Slide the raw edge of fabric into the fold of the bias tape tie. Pin or clip in place. Start at one end of the tie and sew along the edge from one end to the other. When you reach the mask part, go slowly and make sure NOT to sew over any pins! Repeat to attach the second tie.

Directions can also be found at Youtube. 

Bundle masks in no more than 25 increments in a sealed zip lock bag.

Masks will be laundered before giving to those who are not in clinical roles at our healthcare facilites.

Individuals can drop off their donations at Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach located at 4930 Laverna Road in Springfield. Collection will continue on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 1-4 p.m. until Friday, April 3.

Please call 217-525-8843 if you have any questions. Community memebers should only drop off donations at this designated location in Sangamon County, do not bring them to the hospitals or clinics.