SALT LAKE CITY — It’s Monday again, and to top it all off, it’s raining and gloomy today.

If you are feeling particularly tired or down, we have a boost for you. The KSL.com “Make Your Week” column features uplifting stories sent in from people outside the newsroom.

To send in the stories that have made your day better, email them in 100 words or less to fjolley@ksl.com. Photos and videos are encouraged.

Service in school

Jerilee J.

“We are doing a cool service learning project in fourth grade at Oak Hills. In McGraw Hill, we read about how people can make a difference in the community. We had a discussion about what we could do to help our community. My students came up with the idea to help refugees. He went through the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City and got a list of what they needed. We completed 13 complete kits for refugees.

“When we went on a field trip to deliver the items, we asked what one item do they need more than any other. Their response was laundry detergent. We asked if we could get 200 would that work? They were elated, but did not believe our classroom could get it done! As of today, we have 550 plus bottles of laundry detergent.”

Cleaning up the neighborhood

Danette S.

“Everyday I come to work, whether I'm driving or already here, I see this gentleman cleaning a few blocks off 700 East. I’ve had the chance to meet him finally and talk with him a bit. He’s an amazing man who is very selfless and very kind. He starts at Ream’s and works his way down to just past 9400 South, cleaning and picking up trash on both sides of the road. His name is Mike and he’s from West Virginia. He says he does this for the exercise. He was just telling me today that he finds money, and at one point he found $200 in a mud puddle and he gives to the homeless.”

7-year-old helping the community

John H.

“I’d like to introduce you to the CEO of our cause-based company, 7-year-old Draper resident Chase Hansen. He and I created his first two companies when he was 2: A superhero school and his first non-profit called The Lab. A place we created, from which we could serve our community and test out our ideas.

“To change the world we must believe that we can. Chase believes he can and I want to help him. … The last major big hero experiment we conducted was shortly before we closed our laboratory and lair, it was a special project Chase dreamed up called M.E. (mom empowerment) designed for Mother's Day. An experiment of 350 private mommy makeovers with a private photo sessions for each, specifically from a pool of nominated mom heroes, single moms that needed a boost, and women from the domestic violence shelter who were limo-ed over.

“We were joined by Paul Mitchell academy (who thought it was their best outreach experience in their 175 hours of personalized beautification) and 21 pro photographers who all donated their time, creating a moment for our friends to feel powerful. With the weight of the world on their shoulders, we simply hoped to give them a reminder of who they are.”

A teaching going above and beyond

Kori C.

“Here in Eagle Mountain at Pony Express Elementary there is a very special fourth-grade teacher named Mrs. Jensen. … I have never seen a teacher so engaged and tuned into the needs of this generation. Mrs. Jensen wrote a song for them about being little heroes, she teaches them songs to remember math facts. When she noticed a change in a kid, she takes time to talk with them. She gathers the class in a circle and has discussions on treating others and being respectful.

“One day, a boy said he didn't need school that he was just going to play football. That week she wrote an email to (the) UVU coach, told him the story and asked if he could get a player to write him to let him know how important an education is and how he got where he is by trying hard in school. … I watch every day and see with amazement how she teaches, interacts and makes these kids feel important and these kids love to learn from her.”

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