Beautiful Day for An Outstanding 40th Anniversary Event!

First Way's 40th Anniversary Celebration Fundraiser, this past Sunday afternoon at River's Edge Events, was a wonderful experience for over 160 guests who attended. The music was beautiful. A string trio opened and was followed by The Poodle Creek Pickers, which played bluegrass music. His eminence, Archbishop Alexander Sample, said our Invocation.

Denise Cocciolone, founder of 1st Way's parent organization, The National Life Center, gave a powerful speech. Our director, Terry Ianora, talked about 1st Way's forty year history and about our hopeful future, bringing a mobile pregnancy clinic right to the places we are most likely to reach women- shopping centers, across from schools, abortion clinics and public parks.

Next, Angela Fellon, one of 1st Way's clients, told her story about how when she was feeling pressured  into abortion, we at 1st Way became her friends, allies in helping her find all the resources and support she needed to keep her child. We continue to help her with things she needs, such as clothing. toys and diapers. Happy today with two children now, Angela glowed as she talked with gratitude to 1st Way for helping her make the best decision of her life- to give birth to her baby.

Angela's talk was followed by Rick Dancer, a journalist, politician and a twenty year anchor for KEZI television in Eugene. Rick gave a rousing talk and generated great enthusiasm from the crowd with both his humor and poignant stories. Pastor Steve Miller of Newsong Church (and longtime board member of 1st Way) gave our closing prayer. 

We're a few steps closer to getting our mobile pregnancy unit, thanks be to God. We're so thankful for all who attended, volunteered and took part in making our event such a great success.

(Photo above is of the Poodle Creek Pickers.)

Help 1st Way Get a Mobile Clinic to Save More Lives

1st Way's fundraiser this coming weekend is because we're trying to get a mobile unit.

(The image to the left is a mobile unit that is similar to the type 1st Way wants, only ours will have a different style and wrap.)

What's that all about? A mobile clinic can take us to where women are instead of just having women come to us. We will show up at convenient places and bring them help and information they need.

Imagine you are a young girl worried you might be pregnant, so you pull into Walmart to buy a pregnancy test. As soon as you park, you see a van that advertised not only free pregnancy tests, but free ultrasounds and counseling, too. So, you decide to check it out.

Inside, you are greeted by a friendly counselor who offers you some cool water or hot tea. You can tell right away that you are surrounded by non-judgmental support and caring about you as a person as well as for your child, and counselors will try to do anything possible to help solve problems that may stand in the way of your ability to give birth to your child.

Imagine stepping into a van and being able to see your baby's heart beat within your first hour's visit. How will this influence the way you feel about the life growing inside you? 

1st Way intends to take our van all over Eugene, parking in different neighborhoods, office complexes, shopping centers and parks. We'll also park across from Planned Parenthood on occasion.

Explore these links:

This short one minute video is a great introduction to the mobile clinic concept and what it looks like in action.

Take a look at a video of a  mobile clinic in Rockford Illinois. The ultrasound tech takes us on a tour of the unit to look at the equipment there. 

We need @$100,000 to make this dream a reality.

40th Anniversary Celebration this August 4 is only the beginning of our fundraising efforts.

Contact us if you'd like to come to our banquet. We may have reduced or donated tickets available, if we hear from you soon. Pass the word around to others, too. Email me at laurapaxton3@gmail.com or visit 1st-way.org for event information and to pay via PayPal.

We hope to see you there!

1st Way Fundraiser with Archbishop Sample

 1st Way is celebrating our 40th Anniversary!

"Every life is sacred. Planned or unplanned, each unique and irreplaceable individual must be profoundly respected and protected, regardless of cost, from conception to natural death."

                                                         -Archbishop Alexander Sample

This moving quote from our new archbishop strongly encourages us to take action for life. Each human life conceived is irreplaceable- there will never be another you or me and each human life deserves the chance to live just like you and me.  

Each life should be profoundly respected and protected- to give God the honor he deserves for creating us and to cherish the gift of children. 

Regardless of cost-
Nothing is too much for this profoundly important cause- to respect and protect human life.

Come to our Fundraiser for First Way, August 4 at River's Edge!

Our new archbishop, The Most Reverend Alexander Sample, will be there and we will have a wonderful meal and entertainment to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. Don't miss this rare opportunity. Tickets are going fast. Contact me to get your tickets now!

Buy your ticket via Paypal here:

River's Edge Events:
 http://www.riversedgeevents.com/

Hope to see you there!  

Would you like to help with fundraising?

Let's have fun and raise money for 1st Way!

1st Way will be celebrating 40 years of service to the communities of Eugene and Springfield. 1st Way is a pregnancy center dedicated to protecting and saving the lives of pre-born babies and supporting their moms in crisis.

When a woman comes to 1st Way distressed by an unplanned pregnancy, 1st Way volunteers offer reassuring support and friendship to help her make the most important decision of her life.  After the birth of her child, we provide free help with needs such as diapers, clothing, and equipment.  Most of all, we offer hope so that pregnant woman can choose life for their babies.

After 40 years of serving, we need help to find fresh ideas for raising funds and help to organize these efforts.  Are you experienced in fundraising? Let us know.  Do you like to organize and help with events?  Come talk to us. Do you just like to help out? No experience necessary. With your help we can go on into the future!

Leave a comment here or email firstwayeugene@gmail.com