Extension Homemakers Blog

November 2020: Ways AEHC Members Can Continue to Help During the Pandemic

by Rachael Price - November 5, 2020

Two Ways AEHC Members Can Continue to Help During the Pandemic

Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council is one of the largest volunteer groups in the state of Arkansas. Our mission is to empower individuals and families to improve their lives through continuing education, leadership development, and community service. AEHC has supported and assisted the residents of Arkansas for over 100 years.

This year has brought more hardships than anyone could have anticipated, but COVID19 did not slow down AEHC’s community service efforts. One of the most significant ways AEHC served their community was by making masks.

AEHC Members Helped People Mask Up

Personal protective equipment was one of the first shortages across the county when COVID19 hit in the early spring. Many of our members are skilled in sewing and volunteered their time to make handmade masks for their fellow Arkansans starting in March. Arkansas doctors’ offices, dentist offices, pharmacies, firefighters, police officers, teachers, doctors, nurses, high-risk residents, and anyone else who needed a mask received one from AEHC. Over 50,000 masks have been made since January. The number of masks created grows daily.  

Governor Hutchinson recognized our efforts

Governor Hutchinson and his staff received masks from the Mask Warriors out of Pulaski County in Little Rock, AR. He thanked them during his daily COVID19 update on May 9, 2020 when he said, “Hats off to Extension Homemakers and the Second Baptist Journey class, and we appreciate the message you’ve given.” – Governor Asa Hutchinson.

Our AEHC members want to continue to help!

AEHC members want to do even more to help during these difficult times. They ask, “What’s next?”, “How can I get involved?”, and “Who needs us right now?”

There are two ways you as an AEHC member can get involved right now on a state-wide level. 

AEHC's Fall Food Drive

Contribute to AEHC’s Fall Food Drive Roberta Shankle is Chairman of AEHC’s Food Insecurity Project. She is planning a Fall Food Drive hosted by AEHC. This event will be part of the One Million Meals campaign AEHC is currently participating in; we will have more information on how to donate and where to donate soon. Donate now. For more information, contact Roberta Shankle at shankle49@gmail.com. 

Donate to the UAMS Blanket Drive

For the past couple of years, AEHC has donated blankets to UAMS for Christmas. This year we will be doing the same. UAMS contacted us directly to help with this project. Due to COVID19, blankets will need to be delivered to UAMS by December 11, 2020. If you have more questions regarding this, contact Rachael Price at rprice@uada.edu. 

Be creative and find a way to participate in a community service project. There are a lot of different ways to get involved. No matter what you choose to do, you represent the strong work ethic, giving heart, and continued support AEHC offers the state. We encourage you to learn the history of AEHC and understand why so many members are willing to serve this state. 

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others" - Booker T. Washington. 

Additional information on Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council can be found at www.uaex.uada.edu/ehc.

View the entire Governor's press conference of May 9, 2020.