Walk for Life to Benefit the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater in Virginia

It is once again time for the annual Walk for Life, held by the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater (CPCOT), to raise money to aid in their efforts to reach out to women in unplanned pregnancies. There will be two walks held this year. The first will be April 28 at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach, and the second on May 5 at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. Check-in will be between 8:15 and 9:15 at both locations.

For this event, walkers are gathering pledges in the form of single, tax-deductible donations, instead of per mile pledges. Walkers set personal goals, and are encouraged by the Center to raise even more through the prize program, which includes t-shirts, ball caps, tote bags, fleece blankets, polo shirts, and the highest prize, for those who raise $1500, is the President's LifeSavers Dinner Club, where walkers get a dinner cruise with the President of CPCOT.

However, walkers are not in it for the shirts, hats and dinner. The greatest prize is knowing they are helping a great organization. The CPCOT is a Christ-centered organization serving mothers and their babies. They run a number of programs, such as Purespective--sexual integrity education for students-- and PACE--a post-abortion support program. Their largest program is their four Keim Centers, in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Suffolk. These centers offer per advocacy for women with an unplanned pregnancy who need someone to talk and give some help, and Great Expectations, a class for expectant and new parents on the many facets of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and caring for a newborn. Through Great Expectations as well as the advocates, the Centers provide practical help with pre-natal vitamins, diapers and clothing and the like, and aid in finding resources available, such as WIC.

The Norfolk Center was converted to a medical clinic in 2005. This means they have nurses on hand who are able to confirm pregnancy and perform ultrasounds. CPCOT is hoping to extend their medical clinic offer free STD screening, and are also looking to make their Virginia Beach Center into a medical clinic as well.

The CPCOT needs your help to be able to continue their great work helping moms and babies. If you would like to make a donation or register to walk, you can message me or go to cpcfriends.org. If you would like to walk but cannot make it to either date, gather pledges and mail them to the CPCOT, and then do your walk anytime, anywhere. When gathering pledges, let your donors know they do not have to pay upfront. CPCPT will be in contact with them after the walk (but assure them they will not be added to any mailing list without their consent). So, go out and ask your family, friends, coworkers, church members, and anyone else you know if they will make a pledge and join with you in making a difference in Tidewater.