CULLMAN, Ala. – First Source for Women (FSW) on Thursday evening held its annual fundraising dinner, the “Celebrate Life” banquet, at Loft 212 in Cullman, where more than 200 attendees were treated to a meal catered by Designs by Grace and a challenging keynote address by Christian minister, author and speaker Bob Reccord.
Reccord, borrowing the Dickens phrase “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times,” talked about the positives and negatives facing the pro-life movement today. He pointed out that 697 abortion clinics operate in the United States today, compared to 2,176 in 1991, a 67% decrease. He also noted that pregnancy resource centers like FSW now outnumber abortion clinics five to one, and shared the numbers of pro-life federal judges and United States Supreme Court justices appointed in the last three years.
On the other side, Reccord described the 2019 California law requiring all public universities to make abortion pills available free of charge to female students, and stated that such rules could be “coming soon to a college near you.” He talked about the increasing number of states using online resources to make abortion drugs easier to access.
In the end, Reccord challenged attendees to support the programs of FSW through financial pledges.
The audience also got an update on the travels of FSW’s mobile unit, the Storkmobile, especially to Huntsville and Tuscaloosa, where the unit has become a resource in direct face-offs between pro-lifers and abortion providers for the clinics’ patients.
Ellie Hermann, a pro-life activist from Tuscaloosa, told the audience that she requested the Storkmobile make a special trip down to her city.
When FSW called to tell her the unit was coming, she said, “I was just so excited and so happy. And First Source, they aren’t just helping this part of the state; they’re helping in Tuscaloosa. And they’re now coming one day a month . . . I can’t thank you all enough, because your efforts are helping us down in Tuscaloosa.”
State of the program
In 2018
- FSW saw 626 clients, most coming more than once, for a total of 1,316 visits, or an average of 115 visits per month.
- FSW’s parenting classes, for women and men, drew a total of 949 visits.
- Clients checked out 1,844 items from FSW’s audio, video and literature library.
From July 2018 to June 2019
- FSW performed 644 pregnancy tests and sonograms.
- FSW’s baby boutique, which offers free clothing, diapers and numerous other baby necessities to participants in the center’s programs, saw 9,548 visits.
FSW Director Catherine Bethell said, “Thanks to all the wonderful, caring people of life who attended our ‘Celebrate Life’ banquet last Thursday evening. You are the foundation of the pregnancy center, and together, we are a lifesaving, winning team. Your passion for serving those facing unplanned pregnancies has allowed us to assist and share Christ’s love with many clients. Because of you we are changing lives, spreading hope and saving babies. Thank you.”
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