Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Debbie Hyrne of Cincinnati has taken this advice to heart.
About a year ago, Hyrne’s daughter, Anna Gallagher, suggested her mother organize a Bible study for the independent residents at Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices. Hyrne, who leads the women’s ministries at her home church, agreed, and organized a study on prominent women of Scripture—which has turned out to be the first of four in the last year.
The oldest participant is 95 years old, Hyrne says, but the group has a distinctively outward focus. When the group studied the parables of Jesus, for instance, Hyrne organized a canned food drive to benefit a local food pantry.
In the group’s latest study through the story of Ruth, a love story that ends with the birth of Obed, Hyrne thought it might be nice to help some babies in need. She contacted Elizabeth’s New Life Center’s (ENLC) location in Lebanon, Ohio, to see how her group might be of assistance.
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ENLC offers life-based services and information to abortion-minded women—locating two of its facilities across the street from abortion clinics—including free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, as well as material assistance like diapers and formula.
In the past year, ENLC’s six locations have served over 4,700 women, performing 3,200 ultrasound scans. Even with the locations across the street from the abortion facilities, nearly 83 percent of abortion-minded women decided to carry their children to birth after having seen an ultrasound image of their baby.
Tweet This: @ENLC #prolife pregnancy help serves over 4,700 women every year, including 3,200 ultrasounds #ohio
The pregnancy help center also offers an “Earn While You Learn” program. In this mentoring and education program, women have the ability to take classes related to prenatal care, baby care, safety, healthy relationship building and spiritual growth, all while earning “Baby Bucks” to be used in one of ENLC’s three boutiques.
These boutiques sell maternity clothes, baby clothes, baby food, furniture and equipment to mother’s in need. All of the merchandise is donated by the community.
When Hyrne got in touch with ENLC, she was given a list of items the center needed, which she brought before her group.
“I haven’t been to a baby shower in a long time; this will be fun,” one of the women in her group said.
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That’s when a new idea took shape. The group would throw a baby shower honoring Ruth and her baby boy, Obed.
Hyrne scheduled the event for August, giving the women a month to put their gifts together. Some crocheted or quilted blankets, others shopped for gifts and some gathered gently used items for donation.
Otterbein even catered lunch for the big day.
Hyrne invited Renee Wisser from ENLC’s development team to the shower, giving Wisser the opportunity to thank the ladies in person and tell them firsthand how their gifts were going to be used.
“I was encouraged by the fellowship and laughter during our time together and see that Otterbein fosters an environment of love and compassion,” Wisser said. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to share our ministry with such wonderful women.”
Tweet This: #Ohio seniors host baby shower to benefit #prolife center, moms. @ENLC
