Baby project benefits from SJB students

Intermountain Catholic

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One hundred twenty-two 6th grade students at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Middle School in Draper spent two weeks during October focused on collecting items for Saint Martha’s Baby Project and the Pregnancy Resource Center.

Saint Martha’s Baby Project operates under the umbrella of Holy Cross Ministries of Salt Lake City, providing layettes for babies born to mothers and fathers living in poverty. The layettes are packaged in a laundry basket and include much-needed supplies for a newborn baby.

The Pregnancy Resource Center of Salt Lake City provides free and confidential services including, but not limited to, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abstinence education, adoption assistance, maternity clothes and baby clothes.

"The 6th-grade teachers and students chose this project to take an active role in Respect Life month. While learning the Catholic social teaching theme of Life and Dignity of the Human Person, the students felt compelled to do something to help mothers who choose life for their babies born in situations of need," said Maria Moynihan, 6th-grade teacher at Saint John the Baptist Middle School.

The results were 5,130 diapers, 3,460 wipes, $175 in gift cards, 22 diaper bags, 152 baby blankets, 158 onesies, 87 newborn outfits, 119 baby toys, 25 large used baby items and numerous used baby clothing items.

New layette items were delivered to Saint Martha’s in the week following the collection. Items collected for the Pregnancy Resource Center will be delivered by a busload of students on Nov. 10. Their field trip will include the unloading of items and a tour of the facility including a look at ultrasound equipment and images.