Young Catholic helps others everyday

By Sylvia L. White, The Catholic Sun
August 2, 2007

Hannah Sorensen, a 12-year-old parishioner at Most Holy Trinity, started volunteering at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul while preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

That volunteer job turned into an ongoing service project called Soap for H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everyday).

“Hannah has always wanted to make personal care packages,” said Andrea Sorensen, Hannah’s mother. Andrea said Hannah has been volunteering since she was a Daisy Scout in kindergarten. She recently became involved with the Miss Arizona Pre-Teen National Pageant program which requires a service project as part of participation. That’s when she came up with Soap for H.O.P.E.

When Hannah saw the care packages given by St. Vincent de Paul while volunteering there, she wanted to create her own and give more. Now she and a friend go door to door collecting in her neighborhood.

She has also enlisted the support of Most Holy Trinity’s Catholics and employees at Century 21 Metro-Alliance and State Farm Insurance. An oral surgeon she approached donated 100 toothbrushes.

Hannah takes the donations and packages them for distribution at St. Vincent de Paul and local women’s shelters.

“People without homes are in need of their own personal care products. I am here to let them know someone cares and help contribute and distribute to those in need,” Sorensen said.

She asked the congregation at Most Holy Trinity’s Masses on Sunday June 24 for help.

“One person can make a difference, and that person is you,” she said. 

Joe Yanez, who works at St. Vincent de Paul, said Sorensen’s initiative struck him.

“For a young lady her age, she’s pretty self-driven and self-directed.” Yanez said he sees other youth like this, but they are usually 16 or 17 years old.