THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408240191
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
AN INTERNATIONAL AUTHOR on pregnancy problems will be the head speaker for the Suffolk Crisis Pregnancy Center's fall fund-raiser, but a little child shall also lead the way.
This year's guest speaker will be Gary Thomas, director of public education for the international office of Care Net, where he oversees communications to crisis pregnancy centers, churches and the media.
Camille Crofton, 6, a student at First Baptist Christian School, will add her voice but she won't do any talking. A gifted singer and performer, Camille has received on-stage experience locally with the Hurrah Players and has performed for weddings and special church and civic events since she was 2. Her solo will be ``Masterpiece'' taken from Psalm 139.
The fund-raising banquet is scheduled Sept. 13 in the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church, 237 North Main St., in downtown Suffolk.
In addition to his writing with Care Net, Thomas has had articles published in several national magazines.
Thomas also serves as general editor for ``In the Image of God,'' a Bible study on the sanctity of human life published by Life Cycle Books. In September, his first full-length book will be released by Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Thomas graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in English Literature from Western Washington University. He holds a master's degree with a concentration in Systematic Theology from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada. He is married and has three children.
``The purpose of this banquet is to make the people of Suffolk aware of who we are, what we're doing and how they can help us carry out this ministry, which we feel God has called us to,'' said Patty Blanchard, director of the Suffolk Extension of the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater Inc.
Musical entertainment for the fund-raiser also will be provided by Claire Whitehurst of Corapeake, N.C. Whitehurst serves as secretary and choir director of the Cypress Chapel Christian Church and as administrator for Mills and Cavender, a Suffolk accounting firm.
In September, Whitehurst's first single recording, ``All the Glory Belongs to Jesus'' written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, will be released to 500 radio stations. Her first audio cassette recording, ``I Sing Because I'm Happy,'' has already received some rave reviews.
Center literature explains the organization's goal as ``a Christian ministry with a mission to defend life by supporting women unprepared for pregnancy.''
Suffolk's center opened in November 1988 and in October of last year a new satellite center opened at 5000 Portsmouth Blvd. to serve Portsmouth and Chesapeake.
Today, Blanchard and her staff of volunteers share office facilities with Resource Guidance Services at 230 North Main St. The center's free, confidential services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling services, pregnancy testing, information on the procedures, risks and effects of abortion, and education on early fetal development.
If clients express a need or interest, the center can also provide clothing and furnishings. An advocate support program may also be requested by clients, and a new PACE program provides a support group for clients suffering from post-abortion trauma. ``I'm Worth Waiting For'' is an educational program available to teens about the merits of abstinence.
According to Blanchard, the center relies on individual contributions, organizational gifts and church sponsorship for its financial support.
Tickets for the banquet are $12 per person. Groups of eight may reserve or sponsor a table. Reservations are needed by Sept. 2 and should be made by calling 397-3329. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. ILLUSTRATION: File photo
Patty Blanchard is director of the Suffolk Extension of the Crisis
Pregnancy Center of Tidewater Inc., which provides free,
confidential services including a crisis hotline, counseling and
pregnancy testing.
Photo
Gary Thomas
Guest speaker
by CNB