SASKATOON -- In late March some members of Saskatoon’s Chinese community came together to provide some help for those working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They began ordering surgical masks to donate to places around the city and so far they have given away more than 10,000 masks. Another 30,000 are on the way.

“We love Saskatoon,” Samantha Zheng said.

"We want everyone safe, we are all human. We need to fight COVID together."

Zhang says so far they have donated 2,600 masks to the Saskatoon Fire Department and the City, 1,000 to police and hundreds to multiple organizations around town who still have their doors open.

So far more than $58,000 has been raised in funds and donated equipment such as masks and gloves.

The Chinese community appreciates the work done by health care workers on the front lines, Zheng said, and she wants to see them properly protected.

When they arrive early next week the 30,000 masks will be donated wherever the need is greatest, Zheng says.

Zheng says any organization in need of masks can contact her.

According to Zheng, the Chinese community in Regina is also donating masks, mainly N95s, to the SHA. So far they have raised more than $30,000.