BBCC staff member delivers face masks to local childcare providers

MOSES LAKE — Dozens of handmade fabric face masks have made their way to some of our local childcare providers this week, thanks to Big Bend Community College’s Early Childhood Education program coordinator Jenny Nighswonger and family friend Sheila Poe Thompson.

“These providers are also on front lines providing quality care to children, so their families can continue to work,” said Nighswonger.

So far, the pair has taken masks to Sukey’s Learning Center, Little Chiefs Childcare, Little Sunshine Childcare and Advanced Learning Center. They plan on making additional masks for other childcare centers and private providers in the area who may need them.

Nighswonger said they organized the project after hearing about a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak. Many community members have stepped up to sew facemasks for local clinics and hospitals, so the pair focused on providing masks for local childcare providers, many of whom are current or former ECE students.

“We have an amazing staff, we have amazing faculty, and we have amazing people who simply care about our community,” said Big Bend Director of Communications Matt Killebrew. “Every day I get to witness how our campus community is trying to adapt to our situation, and how much they genuinely care about our community partners. What ‘Jenny’ and her family and friends are doing is amazing … not because they are part of our campus community, but because they are just amazing people.”