ACME — Laura Carlton formerly volunteered at a pregnancy care center in Traverse City, where she counseled young pregnant women and served as a labor coach to some.
Years later, a woman recognized Carlton and approached her at a shopping mall to thank her for the counseling she had received — an experience the woman said kept her from having an abortion. Her 10-year-old son stood nearby.
The powerful moment overwhelmed Carlton.
"I cried," she said.
Carlton, of Traverse City, attended Wednesday's 23rd annual Focus on Life benefit dinner for the Grand Traverse Area Right to Life group. About 700 attended the $60-per-plate meal at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme.
"I love pregnant women. I think they're gorgeous. For me, I'm just so much for life," Carlton said.
The Rev. Mark Berlin and his wife, Linda, attended the anti-abortion event as a way to connect with those in their new community. The Berlins recently moved from Wisconsin to Lake Ann, and he will serve at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Interlochen.
"We're glad to be here at this event. Life is a gift and should be treated with dignity, respect and celebration," the Rev. Mark Berlin said.
His wife agreed.
"I believe in the right to life, that God is in control and gives life," she said.
Dr. Lynn Swan, president of the local Right to Life chapter, spoke at the event about how society needs hope and the best way to provide it is to help those who can't help themselves.
"When we stand up for the weakest and the most vulnerable in our society — the elderly, the very young, the embryo, those with special needs — we bestow hope and guard the incredible worth of every human being," Swan said.
The event's keynote speaker was David Bereit, national director for the 40 Days for Life anti-abortion campaign.
He described abortion as the leading cause of death in the United States and encouraged those at the dinner to commit to ending the practice.
"We have to recognize we in the United States are in the midst of a crisis. Abortion has become a plague," Bereit said.
The fundraising goal for the annual dinner was $100,000 for the state Right to Life campaign, to be used for anti-abortion education and outreach efforts, said Randy Royston, development coordinator for Right to Life of Michigan.
Visit www.gtartl.com, or call 946-9469 for more information or to make a donation.
Region
Related Photos
-
Wayne and Heidi Mueller serve as the masters of ceremonies Wednesday during the Focus on Life annual benefit dinner at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme. Record-Eagle/Keith King
-
David Bereit, 40 Days for Life national campaign director, speaks at Wednesday night's dinner. Record-Eagle/Keith King
Volunteer: 'I'm just so much for life'
Focus on Life benefit dinner honors gift of life
-
-
Family of woman killed by drunk driver: 'It's just not fair'
Paul Shafer had questions for the drunk driver who killed his wife and mother of his three children. Did he know what it's like to take his children to a graveyard on Mother's Day? Did he know what it's like to have a young daughter ask, "'I don't have a mommy anymore?'"
Continued ... -
Severe weather possible this afternoon
The spring’s first severe weather could hit the Grand Traverse region today.
Continued ... -
Sewer rates likely to rise for city residents
City homeowners can expect their base sewer charge to jump over 6 percent beginning in July under a budget proposal before the city commission.
Continued ... -
Great weather draws thousands to NMC Barbecue
Mother Nature dished up a glorious day for the Northwestern Michigan College Barbecue, the college's annual fundraiser that attracts thousands to its wooded campus.
Continued ... -
A chance to learn about Peace Ranch
The Senior Center Network and Peace Ranch are partnering for a Spring Hoedown, with square dancing and live entertainment.
Continued ... -
Leelanau center upgrades old building
The Leelanau Community Cultural Center is keeping stride with modern technology while maintaining the original vintage charm of its Old Art Building.
Continued ... -
Northern Notes: Visitor seeks car ferry photos for DVD
Frequent northern Michigan vacationer Ted Hayes has put his love for the area into poetry and song and is moving forward with his second DVD featuring the area.
Continued ... - Sunday, May 19, 2013
-
New TC manager earned his gray along the way
Jered Ottenwess described himself during his interview for Traverse City manager as soft-spoken, lacking years of experience and perhaps not the most charismatic person.
Continued ... -
Ex-oil exec sees perilous energy future for U.S.
America is headed for an energy crisis filled with power blackouts and gasoline shortages, making today’s gas prices something to fear for in coming years.
Continued ... -
Townships settle 12-year-old lawsuit with Cherryland
Three holdout local townships finally settled a drawn-out tax dispute with Cherryland Electric Cooperative prior to a full hearing before the Michigan Supreme Court.
Continued ... -
Antrim officials make headway with meth convictions
Antrim County authorities answered a spike in methamphetamine activity with a series of arrests and convictions that they believe should send a message to meth producers and users.
Continued ... -
Benzie drug death leads to heroin charges
Authorities filed drug-dealing charges against a suburban Detroit man after a suspected heroin overdose death in Benzie County.
Continued ... -
Students recognized for math club performance
Thirty math-hungry East Middle School students recently made history. The group of seventh- and eighth-graders was the first at the school to achieve national gold level status for a club called MathCounts.
Continued ... -
Northbound Woodmere closed for two days
The city will shut down the northbound lanes of Woodmere Avenue from Eighth Street to Hannah Street for two days for maintenance of a city water line.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 18, 2013
-
Powerball ticket buyers hopeful as jackpot swells
Garrick Opie hasn’t purchased a Powerball ticket in more than a decade. But a jackpot that swelled to $600 million — the world’s second largest lottery prize — by Friday afternoon convinced Opie to throw in $20 toward the $2 tickets at the 7-Eleven store on 14th Street.
Continued ... -
Co-worker of fired tribal employees: ‘They should have known better’
A co-worker of the six tribal employees who shot a .22 rifle off their office building deck alleged they endangered a nearby residence, potentially polluted Lake Michigan with lead bullets, and violated human resources policy.
Continued ... -
Jury: Local attorney committed fraud
A jury ruled a local attorney committed fraud and malpractice in a case of a business deal gone bad.
Continued ... -
Man facing sex charges
A Traverse City man who faces child abuse and criminal sexual conduct charges also is accused of attempting to assault authorities who tried to arrest him.
Continued ... -
Model airplanes take off today in Thompsonville
If you’re in Thompsonville today, look up. Model airplane enthusiasts say you’ll be in for a treat.
Continued ... -
Trial scheduled for sex crime suspect
A Kalkaska man who faces 16 counts of criminal sexual conduct is scheduled to appear in court.
Continued ... -
Ex-local resident on 'Wheel of Fortune'
A former Frankfort resident will appear on the national game show “Wheel of Fortune.”
Continued ... - Friday, May 17, 2013
-
Parking garage rates to rise
The Downtown Development Authority authorized an increase in transient parking rates at the city’s two municipal parking decks.
Continued ... -
Ex-Traverse City Manager Lewis to head St. Joseph
The city of St. Joseph picked Traverse City's former Manager Richard Lewis as their next city manager.
Continued ... -
Heroin overdose kills man
Benzie County's struggle with fatal heroin overdoses continues. Authorities confirmed Justin Smith, 23, of Benzonia, was found dead Wednesday night of a heroin overdose. Law enforcement officials arrested a suspect in Smith's death, the fourth heroin-related fatality in the county since 2011.
Continued ... -
No food truck buffet rolled out on first day
Diners who hankered for food truck fare on the first day the mobile restaurants were allowed downtown came away hungry.
Continued ...
-
