Birthright office open, sets virtual fundraiser

Birthright of Columbus, a pro-life pregnancy help center, wants its clients to know that it is open to help them during their pregnancies.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Birthright of Columbus office at 2453 W. Mound St. is still offering understanding, listening and love to the women in need of such services. The agency’s north office and In Review Thrift Shop on North High Street have closed, but the west side office still helps clients with clothes, diapers, referrals and listening. Clients can call (614) 221-0844 to make an appointment, and volunteers are masked and ready to help them.

Although the annual Birthright Luncheon fundraiser at Mozart’s Bakery and Piano Café was cancelled this year, a Virtual Birthright Luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 17, on Facebook at Birthright of Columbus, Ohio. The event will include a virtual tour of the West Mound Street office; a viewing of silent auction baskets on which to bid; and a raffle of a 32-inch TV, a handmade afghan, a Christmas cross wall hanging and a $50 Kohl’s gift card.  

For information or tickets, call Mary Jo Mayhan at (614) 235-7465 or text (614) 668-6421. 
Birthright International, the world’s first pro-life pregnancy help center, was founded in 1968 by Louise Summerhill of Toronto. As legalized abortion loomed in both Canada and the United States, Summerhill recognized the need to help women in crisis pregnancies with positive support and life affirming alternatives. Also, she believed strongly in the dignity of motherhood. Today, more than 450 Birthright centers exist in North America.

Each Birthright center is chartered separately under Birthright International, but all follow the same mission statement: “It is the right of every woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.” 

Each Birthright center is responsible for its own nonprofit funding, management and training of volunteers according to the Birthright Charter. 

Birthright of Columbus was founded in 1972 by women who believed in Summerhill’s philosophy. Today, Birthright of Columbus has one center where trained volunteers answer questions and concerns from callers or visitors who are worried about their pregnancies and babies. Birthright provides compassionate care for individual needs, exercises charity and, most important, maintains a confidential, non-judgmental attitude.

Shortly after Birthright was founded, Summerhill said, “The essence of Birthright is love. We should not underestimate the power of love. We do not need professional training in order to listen, to understand, to love. True compassion recognizes no boundaries nor lays down any conditions when one listens to another with their heart.”

To learn more about Birthright or to volunteer, call (614) 221-0844.