Have you heard the buzz about the “The Hive?” The members of this ladies’ giving circle work together to fund local charitable projects and organizations.
Representatives say the name “The Hive” comes from a comparison between the giving circle and the way honey bees work. Continue reading
The Knox School Board last week accepted nearly $3,700 in funding from the Starke County Community Foundation. Just under $3,500 of that was a regular payout from the Knox Community School Corporation Student Scholarship/Presentation Fund, according to Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart. “That’s the interest that we earn off of that, and we use that, then, for presentations,” he said. “So I was not aware that that fund existed.”
A group of teenagers from a Catholic Church in Lowell will be in Starke County on Monday to assist a local nonprofit organization. Continue reading
Abstinence proponent Pam Stenzel brought her message to Starke County last week. Continue reading
Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox is working to step up its efforts. Continue reading
The featured speaker at the 5th annual Bella Vita Resource Center’s annual banquet was Peggy Rumer, who shared in words and music inspirational and “life changing” events in her life. She told of dealing with the birth of an unexpected baby and her new Christian life style.
The program and dinner was held at the Nancy J. Dembowski Center in downtown Knox. Speakers reported that Starke County holds the 3rd highest rate of teen pregnancies in the State of Indiana. Last year, more than 230 females and 90 males attended parenting classes at the center. Thirteen abortions were recorded by the agency in 2014 –compared to 27 in 2013.
The local pregnancy resource center is headquartered a 52 West Lake Street in Knox; the old post office building. It is a non-profit organization designed to assist those in an unplanned pregnancy situation. It is supported by donations.
The 5th annual Life Walk is this Saturday.
The event will help raise money for the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center. The walk will begin around 10 a.m. at the center on Lake Street and conclude at Wythogan Park.
An open house is planned at the center along with face painting, a balloon artist, coffee and doughnuts.
Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center hosted its fourth annual banquet on Thursday to honor board members.
Several clients also shared their testimonials about the programs offered. Bella Vita was founded in January of 2010 and is a Care Net organization. Founder Susanne Lange shared the reason behind her choice of name for the organization. She faced a crisis pregnancy and was motivated through a series of events to choose life. She named her daughter Isabella, Bella for short. She’s the organization’s namesake and inspiration. Bella Vita means “beautiful life.”
For men and women facing an unintended or crisis pregnancy situation, there is an organization looking to provide practical and emotional support to help those in need. The Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox, a not-for-profit organization, provides free pregnancy tests, options counseling, peer advocate-assisted mentorship and various educational programs in an effort to support those facing a crisis pregnancy situation.
Last week’s Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center fundraiser was a huge success, according to Michelle Barnhart. She says $50,000 is needed each year to keep the center viable for support and information. During the fundraiser, Barnhart said $22,000 was raised in cash and pledges.
Barnhart along with the entire staff and volunteers would like to thank all who attended the event and made the evening such a success.
Susanne Lange, Director of the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox, announced that ten young ladies chose life in her remarks from last night’s Bella Vita Fundraising Reception.
Addressing the crowd too at the Knox Community Center was Brandi Pitts, holding her beautiful son Kendrick. She told a story of a frightened young lady going home to tell her parents that she was pregnant. “Don’t be mad at me mom and dad,” she said. To which her parents said, “We aren’t mad, we love you, and we’ll love your baby, too.” Brandi thanked Bella Vita and her mother and father for the support given through birth and beyond.
More than 250 people are expected tonight at the Knox Community Center for the second annual Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center banquet.
Michelle Barnhart talks about tonight’s event.
“We have “In His Staff” dance team from the North Judson United Methodist Church, plus a pianist, and a flautist performing. The highlight of the evening could be the hot hors d’oeuvres with cheese that will be served to those attending. It’s going to be an enjoyable fondue night at the Knox Community Center,” said Michelle.
Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center Executive Director, Susanne Lange, recently announced the organization’s upcoming fundraiser to be held May 17th at the Knox Community Center. This is the second annual event for the organization that was formed to give women valuable information about pregnancy issues. Susanne mentioned in that six young ladies had decided to carry their babies to term in the past year. But, she said, that isn’t the only reason for the center’s existence.
“We really exist to inform men and women of their options,” said Lange. “Of course, it’s your choice to make informed decisions. We are there as a resource to them. Also we have a baby bucks program. If a client enrolls in our program, she and her boyfriend or husband can go through these classes and earn baby bucks. With these baby bucks, they can purchase various supporting items such as baby clothes, cribs, car seats…things like that.”
The Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center will be hosting its second annual fundraising event in May. Susanne Lange, the Executive Director, tells us about the scheduled event.
“On May 17th, Bella Vita will be hosting its second annual Chocolate Fountain Fondue Fund Raising Event,” announced Lange. “Vincey from WFRN will be the emcee. We will have some client testimony. I will be speaking, giving a yearly update. And of course we’ll have the chocolate fondue treat, and a lyrical dance number.”
The Kankakee Valley REMC presented an Operation Roundup grant check to Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox yesterday for $3,500.00. Amanda Steeb of Kankakee Valley REMC was on hand to give the check to Susanne Lange, the center’s Executive Director.
“We’re really excited about what they’re going to be able to use the money for and that is baby items to assist individuals as they visit this organization,” said Amanda Steeb.
The first annual S.T.E.P.S For Life Walk will be held this Saturday at Wythogan Park in Knox to draw attention to and raise money for the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center. Knox Mayor Rick Chambers will be the Grand Marshal of the walk.
The staff at Bella Vita is attempting to raise funds to keep the Resource Center open more hours per week. Right now they have funding for 18 hours per week until the end of the year. Because of the increased use of the Center, the organizers feel it should be open 40 hours.
250 interested people turned out for the Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center’s fundraising reception last night at the Knox Community Center. Pledge Chairman, Dr. Thomas Browne, urged all in attendance to provide the funding to help sustain this worthwhile and needed service. Following the evening, Executive Director, Susanne Lange, told WKVI’s Ted Hayes about the first two months of operation and how many are using the services.
“We’ve seen over twenty clients and have enrolled many, many girls, ages 14-34, in our Earn While You Learn program who are actually showing up consistently.”
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held yesterday at the recently opened Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox. The Center is located in a home that was owned by Frances Meyers on South Heaton Street.
“I have the honor to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center,” said Rhonda Adcock. “This day, for me, represents a vision that has become a reality. What started out as a desire to just help hurting women came from hearing burdens and stories of others, a vision to have a crisis pregnancy center here in Knox. Starting on the Steering Committee, and now the Board, has given me a front row seat to see that vision become the reality that you see within this house today.”
