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Coco Warner Reporting All along the Wasatch Front Utahns are volunteering their time to help out their neighbors.
This week, as part of our new High-Five segment, we're highlighting some people who really make a difference in their communities.
The Catholic Community Services at 250 East and 300 South does so much humanitarian work in Utah, they're really known for their help with the homeless.
Jeanie Pauli has been one of their volunteers for the last several years. She helps newborns in northern Utah get a good start.
Jeanie Pauli/Catholic Community Services: "I've found that helping other people, it seems to wipe away any worries that I may have myself."
After retiring in 2000, Jeanie Pauli now organizes the St. Martha's Baby Layette program. The project's goal is to provide all the essentials for any newborn coming into the world.
Jeanie Pauli/Catholic Community Services: "Everything is 100 percent donated by the community. We receive a small grant from the St. Benedict's Foundation annually, and that helps us with buying the baskets."
Right now Jeanie says the project is delivering 625 baskets a year to nearly a dozen hospitals and clinics in northern Utah.
Jeanie Pauli/Catholic Community Services: "The baskets include handmade blankets that are made by members of the community-- receiving blankets. They have diapers, wipes, a mother's personal kit and a family hygiene kit, at least one piece of clothing."
Jeanie estimates she puts in nearly 20 hours a week on the layette program. Plus, she volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.
Jeanie Pauli/Catholic Community Services: "I've found that I'm a humanitarian. I've worked all of my career only to find out really that I was supposed to be doing this."
And while Jeanie does a lot, we know there are so many people out there that make our lives better.
So, we want you to nominate anyone you can think of that deserves a public thank you. Remember, we're trying to keep it a surprise, so don't tell them.
We'll come knock on their door-- bright and early-- and give them a High Five on your behalf!
