Kalman, Ara. – Local pregnancy resource center First Source for Women held its annual banquet fundraiser on Thursday, April 4th at Loft 212.
Executive Director Janet Davis and Board President Julia Rushing addressed the evening's attendees, sharing their own anecdotes and stories they encountered while working at First Source, and highlighting the need for the service. , highlighted the impact of their services and donations to First Source. You can influence the lives of others.
“God has blessed us. Last year we saw 650 unique clients, which means all new clients. Plus, in 2023, we confirmed 650 unique clients. I’ve met clients and regular clients over 2,000 times,” Davis said. “We donated over 21,000 diapers for him, and on top of that we were able to give away cribs, car seats, clothing and everything a baby would need.”
First Source for Women also supports its customers in the form of a baby boutique, offering parents and caregivers “baby bags” in exchange for taking various parenting and information classes. This boutique is a place where new and expectant mothers can go to pick up essentials for their children. Resources, support, classes, and a baby boutique are all available until your child reaches her second birthday.
“Pregnancy tests and ultrasounds certainly provide medical information, but they also give us the opportunity to tell stories about their lives. We provide these essential services and provide hope. Not only do we open the door for them, but we also provide support along the way,” Rushing said. “If a woman visits us in the first weeks of pregnancy, we walk with her, support and comfort her until the child is two years old. We've had almost three years of access to , support and education. That's what we're offering our community, and you're a part of it.”
The event's theme was “Investing in the Gift of Life,” which reflected the nonprofit's mission to empower and support women navigating the treacherous waters of unplanned pregnancy. The center has two local offices and a mobile office that travels throughout the county to assist women in need.
Christian comedian Gordon Douglas provided the evening's entertainment, telling jokes and outrageous stories to elicit illicit laughter. Toward the end of the program, Douglas spoke about the purpose of the banquet, saying it was to raise funds for First Source to continue its work and ministry.
“I want you to feel like you are part of this service, that you are participating in saving lives, that you are invested in the gift of life. “It's about choosing to think, and being able to celebrate when you hear that someone has chosen to do that. Leave a baby alone that someone has chosen to adopt,” Douglas said.
The night ended with a plea for donations to the ministry from First Source. If you would like to donate, please donate at www.firstsourceforwomen.org or contact the office at 256-352-5683.
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