‘Unplanned’ actress to headline fundraiser
This 30th annual Haven Health Friends for Life fundraising banquet is set for Tuesday, Sept. 10. Doors are schedule to open at 6 p.m. with the event beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s banquet will be held at the Forum River Center, 301 Tribune St., and will host actress Ashley Bratcher as its featured speaker. Bratcher is the star of the recent pro-life film “Unplanned” released this past March.
“Bratcher was an unplanned baby herself,” Haven Health volunteer Christa Jackson said. “She’s a wonderful speaker to have to share her testimony at this event.”
Haven Health Clinic for Women, 311 Redmond Road, is an organization dedicated to offering free assistance to women during unplanned pregnancies, with no insurance billing and no income requirements.
“Haven gives women the tools they need to make the best decisions about their pregnancy with the goal to either keep the baby or give it up for adoption,” Jackson said.
According to Jackson, Haven helps women with a number of things, including counseling, providing clothing and diapers and even ultrasounds conducted by a staff nurse.
This year, Haven has seen a sharp increase in the number of women assisted, which means the need for donations has also risen.
“With five months left, Haven has already seen more clients than during all of last year,” Jackson said. “The total from 2018 was 516, and this year we’ve already helped 633. Obviously this brings an increase in operating costs.”
Entire tables can be purchased for the event, but individuals can attend as well.
“The goal isn’t just to sell tables, but to get as many people to attend and hear the message,” Jackson said. “This is the main fundraiser for the organization.”
Individuals interested in attending should call or visit the clinic for single tickets. Along with hearing from speakers, the event will also include dinner for those attending.
To purchase a table, or for more information, folks can call Haven Health at 706-235-6833. Tables sponsorship levels range from $500 up to $5,000. Two attendees from the first 10 tables sold this year will be able to attend a meet and greet with Bratcher prior to the dinner.