Don’t Forget to Walk4Life Saturday May 7th

Have you made any plans yet for the Saturday of Mothers’ Day weekend? If you are like many people, you may be planning on spending some time with your mother on Sunday as a way to honor her for all of those countless ways she shows her love. But another great way to spend some time on Mothers’ Day weekend would be to head on over to the Tremayne Shelter at Creve Coeur Park to participate in the Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRC) Walk4Life on Saturday, May 7!

The PRC Walk4Life is an annual fundraising event at which the Christian community comes together to enjoy time at the park and make a difference for a biblically based, Christ-centered ministry that supports life. This year’s Walk4Life will again feature food, fun, live music and great fellowship for you, your family and your entire church family as well!

Many people may not know that PRC is supported completely by donations from individuals and churches, and that this fundraiser is a vital source of income for the ministry. PRC reaches out to those women and men in our community who are experiencing unplanned pregnancies by providing free and confidential pregnancy testing, counseling, ultrasounds and resources. In addition, they offer several additional programs such as Best Choice(SM), an abstinence educational program for schools and church youth groups, Mentoring Men(SM), a program designed to counsel and assist men, and Pregnancy Loss(SM) for those dealing with the aftermath of abortion. All of these services are available at each of their six client centers that are located in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County. All of the monies raised by this ministry stay right here in our community to save lives and help build healthy, strong families.

Those who participate as walkers begin by getting a pledge form, and then asking friends, neighbors, co-workers and fellow church members to support them by pledging a dollar amount toward the Walk. On May 7, the walker comes to Creve Coeur Park between 9 a.m. and Noon and walks the two mile course. It’s that simple! The walker should collect pledge money at the time the pledges are made, but if that is not possible, PRC will send pledge reminders to those who make pledges over $15.

Not only is it easy to participate, but it’s more fun to ask others to join you. Consider asking two friends to get their own sponsors and walk along with you. Then talk to those at your church. Perhaps your Sunday School class, a men’s or women’s Bible study group, prayer group or home schooling group might be up to the challenge. You can even ask your pastor or youth pastor to consider walking.

Speaking of youth, no one is too young or, for that matter, too old to participate. Last year, the walker who raised the most pledges was a 92 year old woman and a total of 12 people, including a 12 year old girl, each raised over $1,000 in pledges! This year PRC has raised the bar with its goal; one that can be achieved if each of its supporting churches has at least 10 walkers who each raise just $200 in pledges. That is a goal that most walkers can meet or exceed.

Some of you may prefer a different method of completing the course – that’s great! You can run, roller-blade, push a stroller, pull a wagon, etc. These are creative ways to bring all age groups into the fun of the Walk4Life. And of course, you can even walk!

What if you would love to participate but cannot be there the day of the Walk? No problem! Just get your pledges, walk any two mile course on a different day and mail in your pledge form to PRC. But those who can be at Creve Coeur Park on May 7 will enjoy grilled hot dogs, drinks and snacks, a fun picnic atmosphere and live music by Chris Galloway and Oracle, Evidence, Tina Osborne and others. For those collecting pledges, Walk4Life T-Shirts are available now by contacting the PRC office or they can be picked-up at the park the day of the walk.

So where do you get those pledge forms? Contact PRC by phone at (314) 783-3040, x227, or by email at info@prcmo.net. You can also go online to their website at www.prcmo.net, to download a pledge form. Consider becoming a church Walk liaison and promote the Walk in your church during the month of April. Call the PRC office to obtain your Liaison packet. It’s not too early to get started so begin asking for pledges as soon as you get your form. Finally, remember to mark your calendar for Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. until Noon, and plan on taking steps to save lives and build healthy, strong families. See you at the Park!