CULLMAN, Ala. – Pregnancy services provider First Source for Women on Thursday evening raised $35,375 at its first-ever virtual “Touch a Life” Telethon, moving the organization significantly toward the $100,000 goal it hopes to see reached during the current fundraising campaign. The event, televised live via social media from Christ Hall at St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church, featured speakers and local ministers, video statements from local officials and First Source staff, testimonials from First Source clients and local musical talent.
Speakers, live and virtual, included St. John’s Rev. John Richter, First Baptist Church Pastor Tom Richter, Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs, Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, Sen. Garlan Gudger, Sav-A-Life Executive Director Bob Foust, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Pastor Fr. Patrick Egan and Joy Pinto of Her Choice in Birmingham.
After the telethon, First Source Director Catherine Bethell told The Tribune, “We give thanks to everyone who called in to help us in our mission to defend the culture of life; thanks to the wonderful speakers and talent acts that gave their gifts and voices to praise God and support First Source for Women; thanks to our amazing staff and volunteers who are the heart of this ministry; thanks to Reverend John Richter who offered us a place to host our event in Christ Hall; and thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity to serve Him by protecting the unborn who are made in the image and likeness of God.
“Please continue to help us in our mission and open your hearts to defend the culture of life! The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll and we need you. Our Touch a Life Telethon raised $35,375 of our $100,000 goal so far! Thank you for all you do for their lives.”
What is First Source for Women?
First Source is a charitable organization that offers free support services to moms-to-be and even willing dads, including:
- Free and confidential pregnancy testing
- Free ultrasounds by trained, licensed nurses
- Pregnancy options education
- Positive choices – sexual risk avoidance education
- Access to FSW’s baby boutique for diapers, baby supplies, baby beds and maternity clothes for mom
- Referrals to agencies for community assistance
- Intensive training for moms and dads
Ultrasound services a key to success
The ultrasound service has proven to be a crucial key to FSW’s pro-life mission.
Said Bethell, “Our center advertises in various ways to reach women who are at risk for an abortion and women who are seeking an abortion. We use the latest in ultrasound technology to show them that this is a tiny, growing person with fingers and toes and eyelids. When our clients see this, over 80% of them choose life for their child.”
Stork Mobile creates new level of community visibility
Since First Source received its mobile unit, nicknamed the Stork Mobile, in September 2017, staff on the unit have performed hundreds of pregnancy tests and ultrasounds and have provided counseling to visitors. Increasing community awareness through the unit’s presence at events is believed to be a major contributing factor in increased visits to the Hanceville office.
The unit and its stories have provided encouragement to other pro-life pregnancy centers around the region.
The cost of “free stuff”
First Source clients get to come to the organization’s baby boutique at the Hanceville office and shop for everything from maternity clothes to diapers and baby powder, to baby clothes and nursery furniture. It’s all free- sort of. The clients must take classes on sexual integrity, pregnancy, labor, adoption, child-rearing and even life skills like household finances, in order to earn “mommy bucks” that they spend in the boutique for the things they want. That’s the formula, according to First Source: learn to be a better parent, get more stuff. It’s a win-win.
The final word
Bethell told The Tribune in a previous interview, “Every day, we pray that the girls will look up and no longer see us, but only see Jesus and see the love that we have for them. All our volunteers, they have that. They make that connection with that girl, and they see Jesus in their eyes. They see that we love them, and we care for them, and we’re going to take care of them.”
First Source for Women welcomes donations of money and baby supplies and operates through the graciousness of numerous volunteers. Find out more at www.firstsourceforwomen.org.
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