Record turnout for annual Walk for Life
By STEVE ROUSH
The Highland County Press
More than 200 people took to the streets in uptown Hillsboro on a gorgeous Saturday morning for the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center’s annual Walk for Life.
The two-mile walk began and ended at the Center, which is located at 135 W. Walnut St. in Hillsboro. A two-hour Bike for Life began after the walk.
Two doves were released at the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center prior to the walk, and balloons were released at the Highland County Courthouse during the walk to represent the 55 babies born to clients of the center in 2013, along with 27 babies that were known to have been aborted in Highland County in 2012.
Statistics for 2013 are expected to be released next month.
Previously, the walk had been held at Southern State Community College in Hillsboro, and event coordinators said that a record number of walkers participated in this year’s event.
“Sometimes, all you can say is, ‘Wow, God,” said Cathy Griffith, executive director of the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center. “What a turnout we had today. We’ve never had this many ministers walk before, and I want to thank everyone for helping make this Walk for Life a success and making a commitment to this ministry.”
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The Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center was founded in 1991 to provide practical assistance, encouragement and unconditional love to women and families in need.
Griffith said the Center offers hope to abortion vulnerable women so they might choose life for their babies and the healing for those experiencing pain and grief from past decisions.
She said the Center provides free self-administered pregnancy tests; one-on-one peer counseling; referrals (medical, adoption, social services); maternity, infant clothing and baby care items; abstinence education; Circle of Friends and Road to Fatherhood classes for first-time parents; HUGS (Helping You Grow Strong) Parenting classes for parents with children; and post abortion counseling.
“Today, we’re walking for our babies and their families so we can continue to offer hope,” Griffith said.
For more information about the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center, contact Griffith at (937) 393-2990 or visit www.sopcwecare.com.