Shine Center Presentation
St. Jude Knights of Columbus Council #6440 Donates to Shine Women’s Center
MOUNTAIN TOP--For nearly eight years the Shine Women’s Center has served the women and men of the Greater Hazleton area who are facing unexpected pregnancies and considering an abortion by offering a variety of services to those in need.
The work of Valerie White, the center’s director, and the staff of Shine, has been aided over the years with help from several Knights of Columbus Councils, including St. Jude Council #6440, which recently donated $1,500 to the Center. The money was used to renovate the ultrasound room at Shine’s new location on Susquehanna Boulevard (Rt. 93) in Hazle Township.
“We can’t thank the Knights of Columbus from St. Jude, along with the church staff and parishioners, for their generosity to the Shine Center,” said White. “The money raised helped us renovate our ultrasound room so women who come to us can see and hear their child. When a mother-to-be hears the heart beating it has a big impact on them deciding to keep the baby instead of terminating the life.”
Several years ago, St. Jude Council, led by Bob Murphy and Dave Jaques, along with St John Paul II Council #4159 from North Pocono led by Alex Tasselmyer and Bill Musa; Our Lady of the Lake Council #13752 from Pocono Pines led by Martin Boyle; and Our Lady of Fatima Council #8613 from Conyngham led by Tom Pandolfi, raised more than $30,000 to purchase the ultrasound machine.
But the Shine Center is more than just a place for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. It offers a variety of services to women and men like parenting classes, pregnancy testing, and emotional and mental support for up to two years after a child is born. In fact, it offers up to 200 different classes for parents and parents-to-be.
“Last year we served more than 140 unique clients,” said White. “But in reality, the number is more than that since a pregnancy impacts whole families.”
The Center also offers a baby boutique where parents, who earn “baby bucks” for attending classes, can get diapers, wipes, and clothing from birth up to two years of age. Mothers can also use those “bucks” for items for themselves since “everyone can use some pampering” as White says.
Anyone interested in supporting the Shine Women’s Center can do so by calling them at 570-433-1435 or by visiting its website at lifehopetoday.org.
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Pictured at the check presentation are: Jack Marchese, St. Jude Council #6440; Joe Holmes, St. Jude Council #6440; Valerie White, Shine Center, Director; and Bob Murphy, St. Jude Council #6440/Shine Center Board member.