Every year, the staff at Worlein’s Funeral Home in Austin looks to come up with a community-oriented project.

So as the H1N1 flu became a bigger and bigger concern, Mary Kittelson decided she knew where to focus the home’s efforts.

Kittelson, the community services director at Worlein’s, has been working with area organizations, like Mower County Public Health, to distribute pocket-sized containers of hand sanitizer during local flu clinics and other events.

To date, Kittelson said more than 2,000 bottles have been given away. All costs have been covered by the home.

“It’s been really positive,” Kittelson said of the initiative. “It’s just a way of getting people into the habit.”

And certainly it’s a habit that has taken on increased importance now that flu season has arrived.

Hand sanitizer pumps have been popping up more and more in public buildings, and Kittelson wanted to give people something they could carry with them as well.

The idea, Kittelson said, came to life in August, when public health officials held a “H1N1 roundtable” for various sectors of the community.

Kittelson attended and decided she could do her part to help fight not only H1N1, but the seasonal flu as well.

In September, Kittelson distributed bottles to a number of locations in Austin that were holding seasonal flu clinics with help from Medicap Pharmacy.

Chris Meyer, a Medicap pharmacist, said he has been really impressed with Kittelson’s efforts.

“I think it’s great,” Meyer said.

“She has a big heart.”

Meyer said “hundreds” of bottles were given out at the clinics and expects to give out a lot more when H1N1 clinics start popping up.

“I’d open the door even more to working with (Kittelson) in the future,” Meyer said. “She had such a good idea.”

The Austin YMCA had one such September clinic, and member services director Michele Kuddes said it was a great idea to get the gym involved.

As a place known for a lot of dripping sweat, Kuddes said it’s important that the YMCA promotes sanitary practices, especially during flu season.

This has included stocking up on the pocket-sized bottles — Kuddes said she has a few on her desk — and taking extra steps to clean equipment, doors and counters at the facility.

Kuddes said she was very impressed with Kittelson’s initiative.

“I thought that was pretty incredible,” she said of Kittelson’s idea, “a great community service.”

Lori Wacek, marketing director at The Cedars in Austin, echoed Kuddes’ sentiment.

“It went over really well,” she said of the hand sanitizers given out when the assisted-living center had two flu clinics of its own.

Though staff have installed some hand sanitizer pumps in the building, Wacek said giving seniors something they can keep close by has been a big positive.

“It’s the perfect size,” she said of the pocket-sized companions.

Jan Barnett, a nurse with Mower County Public Health, said it’s been great working with Kittelson.

In fact, Barnett took a load of the hand sanitizers with her when she led a H1N1 class at St. Olaf Church earlier this fall.

“I think it’s been wonderful,” she said of the hand sanitizer giveaway program. “It has been well received.”

Though not a replacement for good handwashing, Barnett said hand sanitizer use is an important part of staying clean — and flu-free.

And giving the pocket-sized bottles out has been a big plus.

“People seem to really like having that little one they can stick in the car,” Barnett said. “They are looking at ways to protect themselves.”