Santa Barbara business owner keeps staff on payroll by making face masks

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- One local business owner is doing his best to keep his workers on their payroll in Santa Barbara on Friday.

Peter Bonner, a handyman business owner in Santa Barbara, is keeping his crew on a payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the pandemic, many workers are placed out of a job causing financial stress on many individuals and their families.

Bonner's store called SB Handyworks, located on 33 Rubio Road in Santa Barbara, has changed their service to producing masks for the community.

Bonner had the idea when he found an old sewing machine. After that, a couple more machines were donated to him to help his efforts.

Bonner then trained his workers to sew masks.

The business has donated over 500 handmade washable 100 percent cotton masks to first responders, Cottage Hospital, Devereux, DA's office, Peabody school lunch feeding staff, school-aged children along with many others.

Bonner says he is paying his workers out of his pocket.

"These guys have been working for me for years, it's the least I can do for them during this time." said Bonner.

Bonner says some people have reached out to him to buy the masks to help his cause and the donation efforts.

If you're interested in helping donation efforts through buying masks or other, email peterbonner@sbhandyworks.com.