Pro-Life Help Needed in Joplin, MO!

This Sunday, the city of Joplin, Missouri was hit by one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy. As they begin to recover, volunteers and organizations in the devastated area desperately need help reaching out to those in need, including the local pregnancy resource center.

LifeChoices Medical Clinic and Resource Center has been visiting mothers affected by the tornado in shelters and damaged homes and apartments throughout the town assessing their needs and offering assistance. Their office, located several blocks from the tornado damage, remains open, but supplies are going fast. Items needed include diapers, wipes, pre-mixed formula and infant clothing. (h/t St. Louis Review)

Monetary donations are also appreciated and can be sent to LifeChoices either online at lifevoices.org or by check and mailed to: LifeChoices, 531 E. 7th St., Joplin, Mo., 64801. Donations are tax deductible and Missouri residents and corporations are eligible for an additional 50 percent state income tax credit for donations of $100 or more. Visit dss.mo.gov/dfas/taxcredit/pregnancy.htm for more information.

Pro-life pregnancy care centers in other parts of Missouri are also stepping up and collecting items for LifeChoices to distribute to Joplin moms and babies. There are six drop-off spots to leave items that will then be taken directly to LifeChoices at some point in the future (at the moment no one except emergency personnel are allowed to enter Joplin). The locations are:

-St. Louis – Frank Block at Love Basket – email: frankb@lovebasket.org or call 636-797-4100
-Springfield – Cindi Boston at Pregnancy Care Center – email: director@pccchoices.org or call 417-877-0800
-Branson – Jeanie Williams at Options Clinic – email: optionspc@centurytel.net or call 417-336-5483
-Kansas City – Marsha Middleton of the Alliance for Life – Missouri in Lee’s Summit – email: allianceforlife.mo@gmail.com or call 417-598-1040
-Lake of the Ozarks – Patricia Dascher at Pregnancy Help Center – email: pdascher@pregnancyhelpcenters.org or call 573-365-2345
-Macon – Michele Jorgenson at Ray of Hope – call 660-651-2652

Please be generous and be sure to visit the LifeChoices Facebook page for regular updates!

Your Help Needed Immediately for Pregnancy Resource Centers!

Missouri Senate Bill 204, will reauthorize the Pregnancy Resource Center Tax Credit. SB 204 will renew the ability for our Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRC’s), across the State of Missouri, to offer tax credits (issued by the State of Missouri) for 50% of a donor’s gift to the PRC (contact MRL or your local PRC for limitations). These tax credits have been a great resource for our PRC’s to raise funds to help women in crisis pregnancies choose life for their babies. These tax credits are due to expire in 2012.

The bill is on the Missouri Senate calendar and could be brought up for debate at any time.

Please contact your Missouri State Senator and ask him/her to vote in favor of SB 204. Also, please share this information with your pro-life friends and family. Please remember when talking with your senator or their staff, regardless of their position on life issues, to be respectful and positive.

Contact information for your Missouri State Senator can be found here. Please be aware that this is a Missouri Senate bill, not a federal bill. You should be contacting your individual state senator. If you are not sure of his or her name, you can locate them here.

As always, please add pro-life efforts in the Missouri legislature to your daily prayers. Missouri Right to Life efforts can only succeed when our members take action and pray for life.

Thank you!

Walk for Life in Kansas City Tomorrow!

Tomorrow the Women’s Clinic of Kansas City will hold its 6th annual Walk for Life:

When: September 25, 2010
Where: Corner of Liberty and Truman Rd. Independence, Mo
Time: Registration 8:00 am
Walk begins at 9:00 am
Route: 1 Mile or 3 Mile
Visit their website for more information

Pregnancy Resource Center Raises $63,000 at Fundraiser

From the Rolla Daily News:

Despite the sluggish economy, local residents showed up in droves to support the Pregnancy Resource Center at its Third Annual Banquet for Life on Thursday evening at the Havener Center on the campus of Missouri S&T.

The fundraiser brought in $63,000, or 35-percent more than last year’s banquet, which brought in $42,000, said Joseph X. Dalton, PRC executive director.

“It’s an amazing increase for a fractured economy,” Dalton said. “It has to be a ‘God’ thing.”

Read more

Rolla Pregnancy Resource Center Readies for Banquet

From the Rolla Daily News 3/3/09:

The Pregnancy Resource Center is gearing up for its Third Annual Banquet for Life from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 12, at the Havener Center on the campus of Missouri S&T.

The PRC is a non-profit organization that promotes alternatives to abortion for women facing unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. It sponsors a free clinic that offers counseling, ultrasound and parenting classes.

Read more

This year the keynote speaker will be Dr. Ray Guarendi, a clinical psychologist, national radio host, author and the father of 10 adopted children.

According to PRC Executive Director Joseph Dalton the center saw 300 clients in 2008. Most received parenting classes; two babies were adopted.