Do you know people who are hesitant to volunteer at a pro-life pregnancy center because they think it is too “controversial” and they don’t want to be seen as an “extremist”? Do they think abortion is a personal decision between a woman and her doctor; or although opposed to abortion they wouldn’t want to impose their values on someone else; or they think their children are not sexually active and therefore abortion is not something to worry about? The truth is that there is nothing controversial or extreme about promoting life-affirming decisions and many of those seeking pro-life guidance have a Catholic background.

Christmas makes us all aware of the fact that the birth of a child is frequently unplanned and does not always come at the most opportune time. It is a shame that we have to wonder whether God’s gift of life will be accepted into a family or rejected in an abortion mill. The movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart has the message of the importance of each life and is shown on many channels during the Christmas season. In light of the message that each person is precious, it is very sad to know that over one million Americans are lost to abortion in this country every year. What are you willing to do to save even one of these lives?

Volunteers at Pearson’s Foundation’s Pregnancy Problem Centers on Oahu and Maui are well aware that the young women and men who come for counseling and a pregnancy test do not want an abortion. Many of them think they have no other option. They come to the Pregnancy Centers looking for a solution they won’t regret. They have been inundated with rhetoric that an abortion is a simple procedure that will leave them in the same condition as before their pregnancy. But many are not buying it. They admit they know it is wrong to have the abortion but they are frightened.

They have heard in mainstream media and read in teen magazines that sex outside of marriage is normal, even expected, and the consequences are casually addressed if addressed at all. When they are tragically awakened to the fact that they may be pregnant, the reality of their situation hits them like a lightening strike. In spite of messages that it is their right to control their body (have an abortion), many women are looking for another message. They receive it when they come to Pregnancy Problem Centers. When we are finished discussing all their options they frequently show their appreciation for the pro-life message with a hug to their counselor or a donation to the organization.

Would you like to be a part of an organization that helps young adults make decisions that they won’t regret later in life? Would you like to know that you helped someone make a decision to save their child’s life and later meet the parent and child and hear how happy they are with their decision? If so, Pearson Foundation Pregnancy Problem Centers could use your help. Counselors are needed to expand existing office hours, open additional centers on Oahu and Maui, and establish new centers on the other islands.

Perhaps you don’t think you can do one-on-one counseling. Other types of assistance are needed as well. The non-profit organization can use your professional services for bookkeeping, fund raising, public relations, graphic arts, doctors and lawyers, etc. Everyone has a talent that can be put to good use. If you have limited time to share but you still want to help, monetary donations are always needed and are tax deductible.

For more information, call one of our centers, Oahu in town (King Street, 942-0328), Pearl City (487-7087) or Maui (Wailuku, 808-242-5069)) to leave your name and contact information. The center manager will contact you to set up an appointment to answer questions and discuss current volunteer opportunities.