A fundraising campaign that banks on one baby bottle after another getting filled with donations is underway, according to Kim Loewer, one of the volunteers for the planned New Life Pregnancy Care Center in Mamou.
Loewer said $45,000 is needed to open the doors of the center intended to give women an alternative to abortion.
At 6 p.m. Thursday there will be a tour of the center located at 1415 7th St., Mamou, across from the emergency entrance of Savoy Medical in Mamou.
A dinner is also planned honoring area doctors and other medical personnel. The event is hosted by New Life Pregnancy Care Board of Directors, the Baptist Nursing Fellowship, and the Acadia Association of Women’s Missions and Ministry.
The Rev. Travis Turner, president of the center and interim pastor at Eunice’s First Baptist Church, said, “The importance of this is to promote life — every aspect of it. Particularly, we are focusing on the unborn child and making sure that child has life and follow that making sure they have a good life. We want to focus on the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of the mother and child.”
Eunice City Judge Terry Hoychick, also involved in the center, said the center will serve to counter abortion.
Hoychick added, “Those who understand what Jesus wants us do need to take a stand. We need to be more vocal and we need to encourage these young ladies who are out there struggling.”
He continued, “God gave you the child. Let the child live. We will help you and that’s what this whole program is for and that’s our purpose. There are so many people wanting to adopt, they would love to adopt these babies.”
The New Life Pregnancy Care will offer free pregnancy tests, ultra sounds, an earn and learn program counseling. Dr. Kayla Fontenot and nurse practitioner Tommy Newman are a part of the care center.
Baby bottle fundraising events include:
— 7 a.m. Tuesday, FCA at Basile High School.
— Catholic Daughters at St. Augustine Church, Basile, at all Masses May 3 to 5.
—Christian Club members, W.W. Stewart Elementary School, Basile, 12:30 p.m. May 7.
— Eunice Kiwanis Club at Eunice City Hall steps from noon to 1 p.m. May 9.
For more information, call Turner at 337-277-4501.
