Walk for Life benefit draws about 100 participants
TEXARKANA, Texas — At least 100 enthusiastic walkers took advantage of Saturday’s crisp weather for the 22nd annual Walk for Life fundraiser at Spring Lake Park.
Participants said this year’s event seemed to have a fresh feel to it, owing to the U.S. Supreme Court’s review of Roe v. Wade, the Court’s 1973 decision that legalized abortion. Texasside resident John Webb said he’s pleased the Court has renewed its interest in the landmark legislation.
“As it stands now, there’s been 65 million abortions in America since 1973,” Webb said. “This is now highly encouraging for us in the pro-life movement, because we have been looking for something like this for years. Right now, our efforts have really just begun when it comes to helping take care of mothers with unintended pregnancies.”
Webb said should Roe v. Wade be overturned, states will need to do their part to protect the unborn. Don Turner agreed.
“I think it will be good to take this decision away from nine people and give it to the states, where it can be decided upon by far more people,” said Turner, a ministries representative with First Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas.
Kristie Wright, executive director of 1st Choice Pregnancy Resource Center, which organizes the walk each year, said the annual event is starting to recover from its 2020 pandemic cancellation.
“Prior to COVID-19, we had at least a couple hundred people participating in these walks and we hope to keep recovering for now on,”she said. “This year, we had about 15 local churches participate, and I don’t think we’ve ever had any rain, except maybe for one year.”
Wright said past fundraisers usually collected about $30,000 to $35,000.