Features
October Gala: Crucial in the Crusade for Life
One morning outside a Raleigh abortion facility, a family with two young boys unloaded from a taxi. The mother was crying. When several pro-life witnesses approached and asked if they could help, the story came out: The family was in the country illegally, the father had a low-paying job, and they simply could not afford a third child. They were Hindu and valued life, yet without substantial help, abortion seemed the only option.
Their baby girl -- the one destined that morning for death -- is now eight years old. The family calls her a blessing from God.
It took the teamwork of several pro-life organizations to transform the parents from their ready-to-abort stance to one in which they cherish their child. Birthchoice, a Raleigh medical clinic that serves women across the state and beyond, performed a pregnancy test and counseled the family about its options. When it became evident that the family did not want the abortion, Birthchoice pledged to help. Volunteers took the family to Catholic Parish Outreach for groceries, and within a week volunteers from the Gabriel Project had outifitted the family's barren apartment with furniture, donated toys for the children, arranged for the mother's pre-natal medical care and helped the father find a better job. Someone even donated a car.
This story and the dozens of similar ones illustrate how the pro-life organizations in the Diocese of Raleigh work together to care for mothers and babies and often entire families. Beyond a dedication to upholding life, they share another commonality: They could not operate without funds from the annual Benefit for Life Gala, which is scheduled this year for Oct. 9 at North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh.
The Gala raises funds for four groups: Birthchoice; the parish-based Gabriel Project that is supported by Birthchoice and that mentors mothers-to-be and provides necessary baby items and support; Project Rachel, a post-abortion healing retreat and support group; and Family Honor, a national Catholic non-profit that supports parents in raising virtuous children.
The gala’s formal sit down dinner will feature Bishop Burbidge as a guest of honor. The keynote speaker will be Deirdre McQuade, Assistant Director for Policy and Communications for the Pro-Life Secretariat of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). There will also be a silent auction and progress reports from the program directors. Organizers expect about 500 attendees.
It costs $270 per day to operate Birthchoice. Last year, the team of 30 volunteers, a medical director, a nurse manager and a sonographer served 416 women by administering pregnancy tests and limited ultrasounds to determine gestational age and counseling pregnant about their situations and options, including the facts of abortion. Of the 149 abortion-minded women who came to the clinic, 62 elected to save their babies after viewing their ultrasounds.
The Gabriel Project, which is supported by Birthchoice, helps women both during and after pregnancy. The "Angels" on the parish-based teams provide transportation to doctors' appointments, meals, mentoring, housing and items for the baby and mother. They also help negotiate with Social Services, secure job training and arrange baptisms. Some remain in touch with the mothers long after the birth.
The women who choose abortion are not forgotten, either. Project Rachel holds two retreats yearly, with support groups leading up to the retreat for first-time participants. These weekend retreats are for both men and women and include breakout groups where participants share their stories, Reconciliation, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a memorial service and a Mass of Resurrection.
Donations also help provide training for volunteers and to maintain Yellow Pages advertising, support telephone counseling, produce and distribute brochures and materials, and to sponsor clients wishing to attend a retreat. Some funds are also used to subsidize counseling for those in need.
The final recipient of Benefit for Life Gala funds is the local affiliate of Family Honor, Inc., a national Catholic non-profit that connects parents and teenagers on important life values, especially chastity and the truth and meaning of God's gift of sexuality. Established in 2007, the local group of volunteers travels to parishes and gives two presentations held one week apart. Donations fund the presentation stipends and expenses, provide teaching training tuition and pay for the annual affiliate fee and program promotion.
"As chairperson of the planning committee for the BFL Gala for the third consecutive year," said Deb Oronzio, "I remain in awe of the dedication and generosity of the people who attend the Gala and contribute generously to support these organizations. We encourage those who have not attended the Gala to join us this year. You will be transformed as you learn of the good works that these organizations provide for the citizens of North Carolina."
- Dana Lorelle
To receive more information about the Gala, email
bflgala@gmail.com or call Oronzio at (919) 280-5228.