VIENNA — The United Service Organizations of Northern Ohio is looking for volunteers to make 500 cloth masks for the troops stationed at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

Making masks is just another way the USO can help the military.

The USO reaches more than 4.9 million service members and military families. The USO helps by keeping them connected with loved ones, delivering care packages, providing entertainment tours and helping families with transition points.

According to Bruce Bille, executive director of the USO of Northern Ohio, the Department of Defense is requiring all military service members to wear masks while on the base.

“We’ve been around for 79 years to provide support and programs to the U.S. military,” Bille said. “Our priority is the 910th Airlift Wing.”

The USO needs volunteers to help make masks with materials donated by Joann Fabrics. The materials are provided to the volunteers; the USO just needs people to pick up the materials to make masks to be sent to the air reserve station.

These masks aren’t 100 percent effective but, when paired with social distancing, they do help slow the spread of COVID-19.

According to the CDC, a significant number of people with coronavirus lack symptoms. Even if they develop symptoms later, they can transmit the virus to others before showing those symptoms. These masks are not meant to protect the wearer but to protect others.

The CDC and Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio’s health director, recommend wearing cloth face masks in public settings where social distancing may be difficult, including essential business spaces such as the air reserve station.

“They’re not N-95, but they’re a temporary solution until they’re given Department of Defense-issued masks,” Bille said. “This is a chance for the community to help out and help our military.”

Once the 500 mask goal is reached, any masks made after will be donated to hospitals and nursing homes.

To help make masks, call 419-908-8441 for further instructions and where to pick up the materials.

bshiller@tribtoday.com