Sav-A-Life of Covington County and its Family Hope Center recognized the accomplishments of the last year at the annual banquet, which was held on Monday evening at Kiwanis Center. Kiwanis Center in Andalusia.
The Dr. William Lile, the main speaker of the banquet, speaks about babies who are not born as patients. (PHOTO by ROBERT BLANKENSHIP)
Sav-A-Life is an non-profit Christian organization that helps women with pregnancies in crisis and teaches life-style choices to young people. The organization provides free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests as well as maternity and baby clothes and diapers as well for parenting classes. Based on the information shared at the event it is reported that the Covington County Family Hope Center received up to 530 client visits in the past year offering 243 ultrasounds along with 376 prenatal tests. Of the 10 clients identified in the report as “abortion at risk,” Save-A-Life reports that three of them chose to have their pregnancy.
As the keynote speaker at the event included the Dr. William Lile who is board certified in obstetrics, gynecology and gyn and also a former OB-GYN Department head for Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The Dr. Lile is licensed to practice medicine in Florida and Alabama and is also a medical advisor for the Florida Human Life Amendment. He is a part of Focus on the Family’s Doctor Research Council. He is often a guest on radio and television shows like Focus on the Family.
The Dr. Lile, who has delivered more than 4,000 babies and has been dubbed “The Professional Life Dr.,” discussed babies that are still in the womb being patients, noting that “a patient is any person regardless of how small.” He gave illustrations, including animations of the procedure of infants who had major operations in utero such as open-heart, spine and brain surgeries.
“When the procedures have been carried out two patients with two heartbeats enter and two patients who have heartbeats that are absent go out. This is medical care at its highest levels. What happens after an abortion? Two heartbeats are inserted one heartbeat, and the other goes out. This isn’t healthcare. Every patient has rights,” Lile said.
Although it is true that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe V. Wade was a big victory for the pro-life community the Dr. Lile said there is still a lot to be done.
“We have the ability to winand we’re winning this battle,” he said. “We have to continue pushing forward because victory is in front of us. We have science to our side But our primary weapon is Gospel. The Gospel is what alters minds, hearts and behaviors. The ultimate victory will come via”the Gospel.”
Some of those honored during the ceremony was Christy Watts, executive director for the Family Hope Center, as in addition to Doctor. James Norman and Nurse Sarah Martha Miller who serve as health experts for the facility. In addition, the many volunteers who perform various tasks.
As emcee at the evening the event was County Commission Chairman Greg White who is a member on the Sav-A-Life Board of Directors. Jan White was the banquet chairperson.
The event also included testimonials from people who have received benefits from Sav-A Life programs.
The members of the Sav-A-Life Board of Directors are: Leroy Cole, chairman; Linda Finlin, vice-chairman; Lori Stanfield, secretary; Greg White, treasurer; Dianne Gray; Don Herring; Pat Northrop; Laura Weaver; Jan White; William Worley; and emeritus members: Clyde Northrop; Tom Rider; Elain Walton; and Ferrell Walton.
The Client Advocates who were recognized include: Cathy Bozeman, Nancy Darnell, Linda Finlin, Amy Henderson, Karen Kay, Carla Mooney, Renea Nichols, Becky Patton, Stanna Traver, Maureen Worley, Ann Whisnant as well as Emily Yard.
Mark Rudd performed two songs during the celebration, and Rev. Josh Wilson of Southside Baptist Church offered the invocation. the evangelist Lena Boswell gave the benediction.
To find out more regarding Sav-A-Life of Covington County and the Family Hope Center, or to make a tax-deductible donation, contact 334-222-0644. The Family Hope Center is open every day from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It it is situated at the address 116 Crescent St. in Andalusia.
The article Sav-A Life celebrates success, recognizes volunteers at a banquet was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
