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GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic is preparing for their annual Jingle and Bid auction, and they’re asking for the community’s support.
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Vitality is a pro-life, faith-based pregnancy center in Godfrey that provides free STI and pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, as well as resources and parenting support. They do not perform or refer for abortions.
Executive Director Jackie Duty and Board member Shannon Vitali explained that fundraisers like Jingle and Bid allow them to provide these free services, and they need businesses to donate items and volunteers to help in their mission.
“We want to build more partnerships, more advocates across the community,” Duty said. “When you have a group of people who are so dedicated and passionate about their work, it changes everything. It makes it fun.”
Duty and the Board conceptualized the Jingle and Bid auction to raise money for Vitality’s operations. Last year, Vitali worked with over 80 businesses to coordinate donations for the auction. As they begin reaching out to businesses and community partners, they hope to reach these same numbers.
Vitali shared her path to volunteering with Vitality. A mother of six, she became an OB nurse at age 50 and began educating patients about natural family planning.
This subject fascinated Vitali. The more she learned about how the egg and the sperm combine, the more convinced she became that it was “a miracle.” Whether the couples she worked with were trying to conceive or trying to avoid pregnancy, she was sure that God played a major role.
“It’s going to be God’s timing,” she said. “There are no accidents. This is God’s way of creating each one of us. Each one of us is unique and precious and here for a purpose.”
As Vitali became more involved with pro-life organizations and events, she felt she was growing in her faith. She believes it’s important to “stand up for life” and speak out against abortion.
“We can claim ignorance to a certain point, but once it’s put in front of you, then it’s your choice. And you have to stand up for life because life is so precious and basic,” she said. “If we can get the life issue, to recognize that, I think a lot of our problems would go away.”
The decision to engage with Vitality was an easy one, and Vitali has served on the Board for several years. She was eager to help with the Jingle and Bid auction.
As she started reaching out to businesses and community partners, she was surprised to realize how many people had been touched by Vitality already. There were many people who had stories of utilizing Vitality’s resources. These conversations were moving and affirmed for Vitali that she was in the right line of work.
This year, Duty and Vitali hope to continue to expand Vitality’s reach through the auction. With the community’s help, they believe they can provide more resources to individuals experiencing unplanned pregnancies.
For more information about how to donate toward the Jingle and Bid auction, or how to volunteer, you can call Vitality at 618-466-1690. To learn more about Vitality Women’s Clinic or make an appointment, check out their official website. To donate, visit their official ambassador’s website.
This featured article is sponsored by Vitality Women's Clinic. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender.com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
