Saturday
April 26 from 3:00 to 5:00, the annual Pregnancy Resource Center
walk was held out at the Open Arms campus.
This year’s theme was “immeasurably more” and signs on the tables
shared quotes from clients who expressed thanks for the pregnancy
resource centers many services.
Ellen Orns, director of Lincoln’s
Pregnancy Resource Center said the day is about supporting the
center, which supports women by providing excellent care and loving
on the women in their time of need with no judgment.
Around the Laughlin Center, tables
were set up for people to check in and register plus get
information. Pregnancy Resource Center Staff Andrea Yoric and Becca
Yantz helped people register.
Goodie bags at one table had pens,
a notepad, hand sanitizer and information about upcoming events.
Another table had T-shirts for
those in the walk and sweatshirts and hoodies for sale. There was
also a table set up with door prizes donated from various businesses
and people could get tickets to put in to win the door prizes.
At the information table there were
brochures about the programs offered along with a list of the many
services offered by the Pregnancy Resource Center at no cost.
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Some of these programs include
Mercies Refuge nine-month residential program and the H.O.P.E.
Parenting Education Program. Another program is Willow Story,
which is a perinatal grief support program. They also host
Deeper Still post abortion retreats.
Parents in the H.O.P.E program have opportunities to earn “Baby
Bucks” to purchase needed supplies and equipment for taking care
of their child. In the back room of Lincoln’s Pregnancy Resource
Center, parents can purchase baby clothes with the “Baby Bucks.”
Other services offered include pregnancy testing, ultrasound
screening, STI/STD testing, abstinence education, abortion pill
reversal program, adoption support and information, disciple
retreats and Bible studies.
After everyone had had a chance to
visit and eat some snacks set out for them, they walked ten laps
around the Open Arms Chapel.
Overall, the walk raised $8,104 to help support the pregnancy
Resource Center. The top walker was the Klokkenga family who raised
$3,300. The other top fundraisers were Deb Harvey, Kay Thompson,
Linda Sheehan and Terrica Bucholz.
Upcoming events at the Pregnancy Resource Center include an open
house May 8th from 3:30 to 5:30 at the Living Alternative Pregnancy
Resource Center’s location at 308 N. Union in Lincoln. The public is
welcome to come to see the center and what service they offer.
Then on September 23, 2025, a 40th year celebration banquet will be
held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington, Illinois.
On this nice sunshiny afternoon,
all the walkers who were there to support their pregnancy Resource
Center were able to do immeasurably more to help those in need of
the resources it offers.
Right now, the center is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. More volunteers are needed so they
can be open more hours.
[Angela Reiners] |
