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UAMS CEO Steppe Mette, M.D. thanks members of I-CERV for large donation May 1. Image by John Young

Volunteer Group Donates 10,000 Masks to UAMS

By Katrina Dupins

| Volunteerism has always been at the forefront of the Ismaili Muslim Community. So when members of the Ismaili Jamatkhana Little Rock heard there was a need for masks at UAMS, they sprang into action.

10k mask donation

Ismaili Jamatkhana Little Rock members donate 10,000 masks to UAMS.

I-CERV, which stands for Ismaili Community Engaged in Responsible Volunteering, is a platform for the Ismaili community to engage in community service and contribute to the quality of life of the larger community as well as collaborate with various organizations for the common good

There are affiliates of I-CERV all over the country. The Little Rock affiliate has about 400 members. May 1 they donated 10,000 masks to UAMS, including 1,000 cloth masks, 3,000 KN95 masks, and 6,000 surgical masks. They also donated 1,800 meals for UAMS employees.

UAMS Medical Center CEO Steppe Mette, M.D., was there when volunteers unloaded the large boxes of masks. He says he’s been amazed at the outpouring of community support for the hospital.

“Wow,” Mette said. “This is another amazing example of our community coming together to support Team UAMS.  The list of other restaurants, businesses, churches and community organizations who have given us food, masks and other donations is seemingly endless. Our fellow Arkansans have shown us tremendous support as we respond to this pandemic. We’re grateful for that.”

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Nurse rolls in cart filled with lunch for distribution to workers.Bryan Clifton

I-CERV member Nisa Khan says helping out in times of need has been a part of her life since childhood.

“I remember wearing a uniform and serving the people in my community,” Khan said. “Everything from serving water to giving an extra hand to seniors. The action of giving is important to I-CERV. And I’m trying to pass that along to my children.”

Khan saw a news report that UAMS was in need and immediately started thinking of ways to help. The group contacted suppliers and made purchases. A group of ladies got together to sew hundreds of masks. Khan says that in very little time, there were more than enough people who were ready to step in and help.