Walkers raise $11,000-plus for local pregnancy center

Mon, Jun 22, 2009    to del.icio.us

The 172 walkers that took a 2-mile trek around downtown Grand Haven on Saturday morning raised at least $11,000 for the Lakeshore Pregnancy Center.

"In this economy, that's excellent," said Becky Eminger, director of the Lakeshore Pregnancy Center office in Grand Haven.

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Similar walks also took place Saturday where the other three Lakeshore Pregnancy Center offices are located: in Allegan, Allendale and Holland.

All four locations typically raise a total of between $80,000 and $100,000 during each year's Lifewalk, Eminger said. Last year, the Grand Haven walk alone raised $15,000 for the center.

Jacob Thompson, 15, said he was at Saturday's Grand Haven walk — which began and concluded at Central Park — to support pro-life and the pregnancy center. He was with two church friends — Sam Lunt, 17; and Nick Henderson, 12. All three are from Spring Lake, and they said they've also volunteered for the center in the past.

"(We're) walking around so they can get the message out — that's what we want," Thompson said.

Click here to see the video: http://www.grandhaventribune.com/liveique/b_vid_front.bsp

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Lori Wilder, the Grand Haven office's client services director, said the main focus of the Lakeshore Pregnancy Center is helping moms in need of a pregnancy test, which is confidential and free. She said it also provides "a safe place to talk" and pulls together community resources to provide mothers-to-be with whatever they may need, such as diapers and clothing.

"We're life-affirming," Eminger said of the center's mission. "That means we'll give you options about a pregnancy. We're never going to tell you what to do."

Eminger said the center will soon be able to offer free on-site ultrasounds when they relocate within the 700 Washington Ave. building to a larger more-private suite.

"We hope to be there by Aug. 1, so that's exciting," she said.

The center has also started a new program for fathers, called D.A.D.S. — which stands for determination, ability, dedication and strength.

"It's by men and for men only, and it's estrogen-free — no women are allowed," Eminger said. "We have a great time and it's just a way for dads to be the great dads they want to be, but maybe just need a little support."

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On the Net:

www.lpcenters.com