On Saturday, October 6, 2012 the ARC Pregnancy Center held a Pro-Life Walk to shed light on the issue of abortion and help ones who were affected by the violent act. This event was held at the Rock located in the Russell Springs United Methodist Church and the gathering raised awareness and funds to help the cause.

Even though the weather was a little bit chilly, the small group of people who came to this event wore their hoodies and dressed up warm as the walk commenced at 10 a.m. The event also held a silent auction and the Higginbotham band was in attendance for the opening performances during registration.

Vonda Carter, director of the ARC Pregnancy Center for four years, gave some information about the help center. “We reach out to women who have children who are in need, we are non-denominational and a non-profit organization.”

Carter also gave information about the center and discussed abortion and statistics of pregnancies and how many have showed up to the ARC Pregnancy Center for help. One of the facts explained how the past 39 years more than 50 million lives were lost due to abortion, such a huge number that no one ever ponders, but these numbers are factual and rising every day.

The walk was more than just participation for a few hours but a chance to raise money for a cause. The ARC Center uses the money to fund the program and with 32 pregnant parents in the program now, many need the help and this would be a good time for community involvement.

The organization also takes donations for the baby boutique and gives these items to the parents to use for their babies. Items include: diapers, wipes, anything that is needed to raise a child. They also provide transportation for parents that are pregnant until the baby is three months old, if needed, so the money that was raised will be used for many causes inside the organization.

Carter also said that the ARC Pregnancy Center holds two fundraisers a year and the pro-life walk is just one but also the Baby Bottle Campaign. Carter also introduced Jesse French and her child Charlie West who has been with the center for two years.

French fully supports the ARC Center and discussed the center as life changing and helps mothers to raise kids and make the right decisions when one finds out they are pregnant. Jesse found this organization through pregnancy and has received help for better parenting skills and also made new friends in the process.

Also discussing the reason for the Pro-Life Walk against abortion, French made the comment, “God never gives anybody anything they cannot handle” and said she had friends who still regret giving up their child.

Carter also gave a few side notes about the organization and the main goal of the whole program is to promote public awareness to the sanctity of human life. They also give parenting classes for pre-natal until the child is in pre-school.

The ARC Pregnancy Center also offers pregnancy tests, counseling for adoption, miscarriage, abuse, and pre/post abortion, and referrals for resources that are available in the community. In the past year they catered to 752 clients and 28 of these pregnant individuals are teenagers.

Last year the ARC Pregnancy Center also gave away 2,333 baby items to parents and their kids. If you would like to donate to the center then you should visit them at their office in the old RECC building located on Hwy. 80. Not only do they help with parenting skills and child care education, they also hold Bible studies, which is optional.

If anyone has a question or feels they could use any help in parenting or if they feel that abortion is the only way to go, visit the ARC Pregnancy Center and let them give you other options to look at and be educated on the side effects of abortion and what may happen to you in the long term.

There are never any stupid questions, the worst decision would be to do something without being informed and educated first.