SALT LAKE CITY – Women serving in a local ministry of the Diocese of Salt Lake City are determined to see that no baby within their reach comes into the world without everything she/he needs for a good start. The women of the local Saint Martha’s Baby Project (which is not affiliated with an Ogden Catholic Community Services program of the same name) provide about 300 layettes annually for the pregnant clients of several community organizations. They are hoping other local people, both Catholic and non-Catholic, will join them in this labor of love.
While Saint Martha’s Baby Project receives an annual grant from the Eccles Foundation, those funds cover only about a third of the costs; the ministry relies on individual donations for the rest. The organization was founded in 1987 in St. Vincent de Paul Parish by Corrine Powers, along with Eileen Lavallee and others, to help women of limited means keep and care for their newborns rather than undergo an abortion.
The program at that time had about 20 volunteers who sewed most of the layette items themselves. These days that number has been halved. While some still sew, others crochet baby afghans and caps for the newborns. Also, many of the items for the layettes now are purchased. The volunteers help by shopping, fundraising or performing other tasks. However, much of the load falls on the shoulders of Judith Puhr, a St. John the Baptist parishioner; and Lillian O’Neil, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as co-directors of the organization.
Puhr got involved after she saw the great need of pregnant women for support and assistance to care for their newborn babies, she said. “I just feel like they’ve chosen life, chosen not to have an abortion, so anything we can do to help them becomes our mission.”
Both women, along with other volunteers who are mostly in their 70s, put in several hours a week on the project. All the effort is worth it, Puhr said, just to know that these babies will have what they need.
Although the layettes usually are given out by the community organizations, she occasionally has had the opportunity to personally deliver them.
““When you see the joy and gratefulness on the faces of these young women, that they have this beautiful layette for their little baby, you get teary-eyed too,” she said.
The Saint Martha’s Baby Project could use more help, Puhr said. Volunteers, including families, could assemble layettes, shop, collect donated items, complete paperwork, write grants and perform other needed tasks.
On St. Martha’s feast day, July 29, the organization is launching a baby shower campaign. They will help any parish or organization host a baby shower to help provide the layettes. These can be in-person showers, or organizations can have a virtual shower where members collect dropped-off items. Cash donations are also much appreciated as they can be used to purchase diapers and wipes, Puhr said.
“It’s been a constant need all these years,” she said.
The most-needed items besides cash are diapers size N and 1, baby wipes, 4- and 8-ounce plastic bottles, brush and comb sets, baby wash, shampoo and lotion, and clothing sizes 0-6 months. All items must be new.
The organization works with Holy Cross Ministries, Pacific Islander Health Coalition, Communidades Unidas, Gabriel Project, Wasatch Latina Coalition, St. Martin de Porres Parish, Ladies of Charity, Pregnancy Resource Center, Communidad Materna en Utah, Pro Life Utah, DDI VANTAGE and a local refugee program.
For help with hosting a baby shower, or to donate or volunteer, call Puhr at 801-520-9717 or O’Neil at 801-694-6003.
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