Walking to support life

Supporters take laps for Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center

By DOUG SMITH
Daily Journal Staff Writer

PARK HILLS — Those who support the Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center will tell you all children are a gift from God, and that He makes no mistakes. There was also no mistaking the amount of support the regional service has when more than 100 people turned out Saturday morning to walk in support of the non-profit Christian-based center.

Board members greeted a parking lot full of bundled up supporters at 9 a.m. at the resource center office at 815 East Main in Park Hills. Following a welcome and quick instructions about safety while on the route, the crowd began filing down the sidewalk headed for nearby Columbia Park. There participants made two laps around the city park before returning back to the center to finish the walk.

As people milled around and registered for the fundraiser, other volunteers gave guided tours of the center’s relatively new location. Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center serves St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington, Wayne, Reynolds, Iron and Madison counties. The offices located to Park Hills about a year ago from the original location in Farmington.

The resource center provides education and help for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Services include free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, the Dad 24-7 mentoring program, parenting classes, free maternity and baby clothes and a baby boutique. The Center has a 24-hour crisis hotline: (573) 431-6001 or (800) 395-4357.

As for Saturday’s fundraising walk, about 130 supporters had signed up to participate earlier in the week. That number grew as the 9 a.m. start neared. Some people couldn’t make it to the event, or were not able to complete a two-mile walk. Even then many wrote checks in support of the cause. Anyone wishing to donate can still give to the center by way of a tax-deductible donation by check made out to the Parkland Pregnancy Resource Center.

And, as with any volunteer organization, it was announced at the walk that volunteers are always needed. Some volunteer are needed to teach parenting classes, while others are needed to provide childcare while mothers, fathers, or both attend free training. Volunteers are screened and trained prior to their work with the center.

Representatives from the center can provide a free presentation to a church or organization. Programs typically last 15 to 20 minutes. For more information about the center call (573) 431-6001.

Doug Smith is a reporter for the Daily Journal. You can reach him at 573-756-8927, or at dsmith@dailyjournalonline.com.

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