Last Monday, a volunteer group called Nebraska Masks4Medics donated more than 1,000 cloth masks to the Omaha Firefighters Union and the Douglas County Health Center. Brickway Brewery and Distillery also donated a supply of hand sanitizer to both entities.

The donated masks are for firefighters and front-line health care workers to use in the community or at home, according to a news release issued on behalf of County Commissioner James Cavanaugh, and County Clerk Jim Esch.

The Nebraska Masks4Medics project launched on March 21 on Facebook with 35 members. Now, it has more than 2,600 volunteers.

“This is all about the community coming together to recognize our brave health care workers and first responders. They are amazing people who put their lives on the line every day. We can’t thank them enough,” Cavanaugh said.

– Douglas County