Boone County Right to Life Banquet set for April 18

Maria Flora, The Lebanon Reporter, Ind.
·2 min read

Apr. 5—Boone County Right to Life chose Melanie Lyon as keynote speaker for its banquet April 18 in Whitestown.

Lyon is executive director of Voices for Life, based in South Bend. The group is dedicated to "making abortions unthinkable through cultural change" and to supporting women in need.

Lyons will share their efforts to enforce abortion laws by reporting violations found in public records. Voices for Life is connecting to pro-life organizations throughout Indiana to encourage more activity in ministries surrounding abortion and women's care, Boone County Right to Life President Jeremy Garst said.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita will also deliver comments alongside emcee, Boone County Republican Women's Club President Valerie Swack.

The banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Golf Club of Indiana, 6905 S. County Road 525 E., Whitestown. Ticket prices start at $40 per person and are available online now at https://boonecountyrighttolife.org/.

Proceeds will support activities of Boone County Right to Life to save lives, especially those of the unborn. The group promotes education and legislation to battle abortion and participates in charitable activities designed to "move our culture back to a respect for human life," according to its website, https://boonecountyrighttolife.org/.

Boone County Right to Life organized in December 1978 in response to the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Volunteers participate in a number of activities, including sidewalk ministries in which they stand and pray outside of abortion or abortion referral centers. They offer to pray with women entering and leaving and try to offer alternatives to abortion and refer the women to free resources, Garst said.

The resources offered include referrals to pregnancy resource centers, pregnancy tests, counseling, and ultrasound imaging for free, or at least at a reduced cost.

"When a mother can see the child in her womb, that's a wonderful thing," Garst said of the ultrasounds.

There are pregnancy resource centers across the state, and close to Boone County in Crawfordsville, Frankfort, Lafayette and Indianapolis.

"There are ministries that help women who have gotten an abortion and who regret it," Garst said. "They can help them find healing and forgiveness in God. There are ministries that have counseling and retreats for women who need spiritual healing after their abortion, whether it was weeks or decades ago. Because they can carry that burden for a long time."

Boone County Right to Life always welcomes new members. Learn more online at https://boonecountyrighttolife.org/.