By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
August 12, 2004

Jenny Mohlmann, parishioner of St. Joseph's in Sioux City, has been volunteering for most of her life in hopes of helping others, living like Jesus and practicing the golden rule.

"I hope that I can always volunteer for something," said Mohlmann, a senior at Briar Cliff University. "I just want to help others. Without volunteers a lot of things couldn't happen. I like the golden rule - do unto others as they do unto you. Jesus was always helping others and was such a giving person. When I see how I am helping others it makes me happy. You can see God in other people."

Mohlmann is an active volunteer in her parish where she is a Eucharistic Minister. She also volunteers her time in the Siouxland community and at Briar Cliff.

She belongs to Campus Ministry at Briar Cliff. During spring break this past year, the group went to Okolona, Miss. on a mission trip where they volunteered at a school in a small town.

"We did the after school tutoring and we helped paint and clean up their food pantry," Mohlmann said. "We also cleaned up a building where they have tutoring for high school students."

Another program Mohlmann is involved with is the Hospice Children's Grief and Growth Program. She was introduced to this program after volunteering for the Cancer Center in Sioux City.

"I started volunteering at the Cancer Center because my cousin had a brain tumor and he went to the Cancer Center for treatments," she said. "I thought it was a very important place, and it led me to Hospice. The Children's Grief and Growth Program is for children 4-years-old through high school. Basically its for any child who has lost a parent, grandparents, friend or anyone close."

At the Grief and Growth Program volunteers play different games with the children who have lost someone close. They give the children a chance to talk and to share their thoughts and feelings.

Also, during the summer Mohlmann volunteers with children at Camp Cayoca. She started as a program director in high school and has also worked as a small group leader. This past year she was a workshop presenter.

"In eighth grade I went to Camp Cayoca and I liked it so much that I started volunteering in high school," she said. "I really enjoy helping other. I like to think of myself as a caring person."

Her work with children will be carried on into her adult life. She is studying to be a teacher and will student teach this fall at St. Michael's in South Sioux City. She said she hopes to work in a Catholic School System upon graduation in May and would like to stay in the area.