By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
Nearly 35 years ago, Sav-A-Life of Limestone County was founded by a local couple with a passion for the sanctity of life and a vision of a local ministry that could lovingly serve women in crisis pregnancy situations. Since its founding, Sav-A-Life, now known as the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), has ministered to the women, men, and children of this area. The WRC has helped untold expectant mothers to make life-affirming choices, in many instances saving the lives of their unborn children. The center has provided tangible support to mothers and their infants; helped women and men explore the facts about adoption so they could determine if adoption fits their particular situation; provided life skills training to mothers and fathers; shared information about local resources to benefit their clients; and lovingly ministered to women suffering emotional trauma resulting from having had an abortion.
The WRC has historically held an annual banquet or gala with celebrity keynote speakers as its primary fundraising event. This year, however, the annual fundraiser will have a different look and feel. This year’s fundraiser will be fun, loud and sport a “Mom’s Night Out” type of vibe that reminds us that it’s time to celebrate so many things that have changed, from the overturning of Roe v. Wade to putting the pandemic in the rearview mirror.
To that end, Lindsay Lane Baptist Church is going to let WRC host a Bunco Night and Silent Auction in their gym on the evening of September 15 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. I had never heard of the game, and Donna Graham, the new WRC Executive Director, and Ashley Bell, the new WRC Advancement Director, explained it to me and sent me YouTube videos so I could see for myself. It absolutely looks like a blast to participate and Ashley and Donna said they are expecting between 100 and 120 women to show up.
Bunco is simple enough, is a social dice game, one of true chance. Ashley explained, “Because your opponents change each round, it’s a great game to get to know many people without the awkwardness that can come with social events. It’s easy to learn and you do not need to know how to play to participate in this event. We will embrace a “learn-as-you-go” attitude and will also give a brief tutorial at the beginning of the event. At the end of the event, prizes will be given to the player with the most and least buncos.”
In addition to the ten-dollar-per-person entry fee, there will be a silent auction whose winners will also be announced at the end of the night. Ashley told me that the silent auction items are beautiful, and they are confident that the auction will also be able to add to the resources of the Women’s Resource Center. There will be refreshments in the form of tea, water, and popcorn, and if you just want to register, come to the event and cheer on your favorite player, you can do that as well.
In order to register, you need to scan the QR code that is shown on the flyer here. Another option is to email, and that address is publicrelations@wrcathens.org. You can reserve your spots and then pay at the door the night of the event.
Let’s move on to the more serious stuff that can be found at https://wrcathens.org. Here you can get the help and care you need if you are in a pregnancy situation, planned or unplanned. The services of the center extend to fathers as well as women who are seeking post abortion care. The WRC helps with car seats, diapers, baby formula, clothes, and other necessities, provides fellowship, Bible studies, parenting classes, ultrasounds, and more. It is NOT an organization that gives medical advice or professional counseling. It is a community of caring, non-judgmental people of faith who have been touched by abortion or adoption and just want to help. Here is what they say about themselves:
The Women’s Resource Center in Athens has supported local families for over 30 years through pregnancy and parenting related services. We offer free, compassionate, and confidential help for both women and men as they make family planning decisions. The education provided is not intended to diagnose any condition or pregnancy and should not take the place of your medical practitioner. We provide credible health education; however, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional, medical, legal, or counseling advice. Free & Confidential
The Bunco night itself is for women, but any person, church, family or organization is welcome to help the WRC financially or by volunteering at any time. Helping people to choose life brings joy, so get in on the fun on September 15 and beyond.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
April 19, 2024
