b'NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATEProgress and Update:FROM CONCEPTION TO BIRTHand THEN SOMEby PAUL ZOCK, CTB program directorWhat progress have we made?While many Councils have raised funds toward this and oth-er programs, certainly the Covid-19 pandemic severely limited our frequency and volume of traditional fundraisers, worldwide. But still, we moved forward with the program as much as we could, undeterred, and still committed.As we announced last year in our virtual convention and through newsletters, emails, and officers Zoom meetings, we selected four PRCs to be re-cipients of the inaugural CTB contributions.Those PRCs were:The Womens Enrichment Center, Dalton-site of the Orders first Ultrasound placementRecall that this new initiative, From Conception to BirthandPregnancy Aid Center, RoswellThen Some (CTB), launched by State Deputy Mark Hofmann at-the only Catholic Pregnancy Resource Center our State Convention in 2019, was designed to reinforce ourin the Archdiocesecommitment to life at all stages.It is meant to dispel the falseSavannah Care Center, Savannah claim from the pro-abortion side that says, All you care about-site of the first 3D/4D Ultrasound in the is birthing babies and nothing else!It is a mechanism to helpSavannah Diocesemothers and families that choose life, even when they face var- Butts County Pregnancy Resource Center, Jackson ious difficult circumstances.It is a logical next step beyond-home town of our State Deputythe already wildly successful Ultrasound Initiative that has beenEach of these PRCs were sent monthly checks from Knights in place through the Supreme Council since the first unit wasof Columbus Charities of Georgia (KCCG) for $250 for twelve placed in Dalton GA in 2009.Ultimately, it is our hope that themonths, totaling $3,000 per center.That first phase of dona-program is successful enough to expand it to other States, andtions, with a grand total of $12,000, ended March 31, 2021.eventually be endorsed by Supreme and qualify for matching funds like the ultrasound program does.We felt we must doHow was the program received?all we can to minimize reasons that would lead to a decisionExcerpts from letters from Lisa Regan, Executive Direc-to abort.tor of the Pregnancy Aid Clinic:Tameshastruggling to find stability whilenavigatinganunexpectedpreg-nancy. Her work as a full-time caregiver proved unsustainable during her preg-nancy and in the pandemic environment. Notcoincidentally,butperhaps,rather,Providentially,theShe replaced that income with two part-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in latetimefooddeliveryjobs.Exhausted, 2019 announced its similar program, Walking with Moms inscared of the unknown and alone on her Need.CTB complements this initiative perfectly!journeyneeded a boost to affirm her The idea was to first ascertain unmet needs of mothers, andbrave choice of life for her unborn son. ways that the Knights could donate their time and treasure toEnter the Knights of Columbus Charities of Georgia!The help.Through the first few months of due diligence, interview- monthly stipend was just enough to help until she couldsave ing Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) Directors, and local ob- up enough to settle in with familyand take a brief maternity stetricians, it became evident that needs varied widely from cityleave.Tamesha is completely in love with her baby, Ezri, who to city, and family to family, and that the best way to identifyshe says has given her a greater purpose in life.those in need was to leave it in the capable and caring hands of the individual PRCs, who were closest to their clients.This alsoFor more info: paul.zock@gmail.comprotected privacy and anonymity, if so desired. To donate:https://www.gakcc.org/credit-card-donationNext, we needed to raise funds for the program, at the localor send a check to: levels, and Statewide, to ensure maximum impact.With manyKnights of Columbus Charities of Georgia, Inc.PRCs already having ultrasound machines, the thought was1696 Fox Holw SWLilburn GA 30047that we could still support the centers with generous donations. 79'