Presidential Perspective

Dear Friends,After months of planning and preparation, our digital ultrasound machine has been delivered, and we are currently working to finalize training and complete all necessary requirements to begin offering expectant mothers the opportunity to literally “see” their unborn babies. We know that in instances where expectant mothers are able to view an ultrasound image of their unborn babies, they are 80% more likely to choose life! Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and all of our donors who have helped in securing our new digital ultrasound machine.While we rejoice in the installation of the new ultra sound machine, this summer has not been without its challenges. It is absolutely critical we maintain our building in order to safely serve the women, babies and young children who rely on our services. During a recent inspection on the outside of the building, it was discovered that moisture has found its way into the space behind the exterior stucco of the building.It will require the removal of the exterior stucco and the installation of new exterior siding at a significant cost to the ministry of First Choice. The Board has begun conversation on how to handle a potentially expensive capital improvement repair that could easily exceed thirty-five thousand dollars.This leads me to an important request. While we are extremely grateful for the generosity of those who pledged to give financially to First Choice in 2015, we have experienced a noticeable decline in regular monthly giving. While we remain in a reasonably good cash position, we face some major expenditures in the next 90 days due to the building and final expenses associated with launching the new ultrasound machine. For this reason, we are reaching out to individuals, churches, parishes and business/community leaders for a generous gift. We hope you will consider how you can best help First Choice meet the needs of the women and children served through Delaware County’s only faith-based pregnancy resource center.II Corinthians 9:7 instructs that when we give, we should give based on whatever we have already decided in our heart, not out of compulsion or out of a place of reluctance. The Apostle Paul concludes this verse by saying that God loves a cheerful giver. We hope that you will decide in your heart to be an active part of the First Choice ministry, either through a one-time donation, your prayers, volunteering, serving as a Life Ambassador or by taking the critical step of signing up to become a recurring monthly donor. May you experience the joy of Christ as you give from a heart of thanksgiving for what God is accomplishing through the critical work of First Choice for Women.Thanks for all that you do to support this ministry.