Catholic Woman's League hosts annual benefit

Intermountain Catholic

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Intermountain Therapy Animals was one of the beneficiaries of the annual Catholic Woman's League benefit. The non-profit organization specializes in providing animal-assisted therapy in the areas of physical, occupational, speech and psychotherapies, as well as special education. IC photo by Christine Young

The Catholic Woman’s League held its annual benefit luncheon, called "Fall Tapestry," at Little America Hotel Oct. 24.

The organization was established in 1916 under Bishop Joseph Glass. Early in its history, the members worked to serve the unemployed, prison inmates, homeless children and those in the juvenile court system. The women supported St. Ann’s Orphanage with annual silver teas and showers and, for many years, members met each Thursday afternoon to sew articles for Holy Cross Hospital.

In 1942, the league participated in the March of Dimes and was active in Red Cross work and in the USO. The efforts of the ladies in the War Bond Booth in Auerbach’s department store earned $141,000.

In 1945, a working committee assisted Bishop Duane G. Hunt in the establishment of Catholic Charities, now known as Catholic Community Services.

Today, their annual benefit luncheon raises funds for local charities. This year’s beneficiaries were Intermountain Therapy Animals and Utahns Against Hunger.

Intermountain Therapy Animals is a non-profit organization that brings animal resources to human needs. The group specializes in providing animals for therapy in the areas of physical, occupational, speech and psychotherapies, as well as special education. Its volunteer program provides "carefully screened therapy animals and handlers who work with human service and health care professionals to serve those in need," according to the organization’s literature. "We work with children and adults who are physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled, as well as others who can benefit from the unique qualities that interaction with an animal can provide."

Members of Intermountain Therapy Animals take their pets to hospitals, mental institutions, nursing facilities, detention homes, extended care centers, and schools.

"We go to various places such as the School for the Deaf and Blind" and we see miracles happen all the time," said Jose Woodhead of Intermountain Therapy Animals. "A couple of weeks ago, a little child was screaming and nothing would calm this child down. Lucky (a therapy dog) went over and laid down by the child and the child quickly stopped crying."

Utahns Against Hunger also is a nonprofit organization, but it works to reduce and eliminate hunger in the Beehive State. Established in 1979, the group has worked to shape public policy and expand nutrition programs to Utah households that struggle to afford enough food.

"We work to build the public will to end hunger by educating and collaborating with local policymakers who decide how programs work," the program literature states. "We strengthen child nutrition by promoting and expanding summer food programs, school meals, and by ensuring that safety net programs like WIC and Food Stamps are doing what they are supposed to do. We grow community networks by helping to build the capacity of local charities and ensuring people in need know where to go for help in their local communities. And finally, we raise the profile of hunger by working with media, community groups, educators, and religious organizations.

We expand the number places where children can have access to the summer food program, which is a program that offers breakfast and lunch when they are on summer vacation. We offer referrals and information for food resources in communities one-on-one when people call and ask for food sites giving outreach information to community partners such as churches, schools, libraries, food pantries, and international rescue committees."

Catholic Woman’s League – According to the Salt of the Earth by Bernice Maher Mooney, under the direction of Bishop Joseph Glass, the Catholic Woman’s League was established in March 1916.