Running For the Unborn: Support Alpha Women's Center

*This was sent out recently to get the word out about Alpha (Josh is one of Alpha's main runners), read below:

Why we are running the Fifth Third River Bank Run…

…to provide a stronger voice for the unborn…to pound the pavement and declare our love for babies who have no voice. We are the Earls. Josh, Annie, and our little girl, Isabella. We represent Alpha Women’s Center of Grand Rapids and we believe every step we take is a physical declaration of our devotion to the born and unborn babies of West Michigan (and those around the world). My husband Josh is a United States Navy Chaplain and we are stationed in Norfolk, VA. Josh just returned from deployment where he covered two destroyers, the USS Winston S. Churchill and the USS Oscar Austin, both which were part of the Harry S. Truman Strike group in the Middle East. During Josh’s deployment, we (Annie and Isabella) traveled to West Michigan and we were able to spend time at the center witnessing the amazing services they offer. We just fell in love with the facility and the heart of the volunteers that serve there day in and day out. We watched young women get free GED preparation through Step Up. For these women, getting a GED truly provides that step in the right direction and Alpha fronts the bill for them...those GED's add up!

As a mother, my heart was so full walking through the halls of Alpha. Thinking of the choices for life that are made at Alpha, I cannot help but shed tears of joy. While Josh was deployed, our Isabella was diagnosed with autism so I understand what it’s like to feel a little lost or unsure about what our (and her) future will hold. The women who walk through the doors of Alpha are getting much needed guidance. They are given options, options for life.

The fact is, this pregnancy resource center provides services to women in need. These needs vary from the need for counseling and support, or maybe just physical necessities like diapers or formula. One of the most heartbreaking things I heard while visiting the center was that, on occasion, they run out of formula (per lack of donations) and cannot supply it to mothers in need. I picture these women walking out the doors feeling scared, looking into the eyes of their child and wondering where the next meal will come from. It’s hard to fathom as a mother. Keeping supply shelves stocked is a huge endeavor. Since Alpha is a non-profit organization, they rely fully on community support for financial helps and resources (diapers, formula, clothing, wipes, toys ect.). This is why we run. We run to raise awareness. Please support our efforts. Please support Alpha Women’s Center of Grand Rapids!

Please consider becoming involved in one of the following ways:

Why participate in the River Bank Run? With only 16 charities represented at the run, Alpha has a remarkable opportunity to broaden our audience from a few hundred to thousands giving a stronger voice for the unborn. The Run also allows us to raise much needed funds and resources for Alpha’s operations. We are excited to invite all of our friends who participate in our annual Life Walk to join us for the fun and exciting inaugural year of walking the 5K (3.1 miles) at the River Bank Run.

Walk or Run as an Individual
There are events for everyone! Enter the 5K Walk, 5K Run, 10K Run or 25K Run. Collect donations to support Alpha Women’s Center.

Support Alpha
Unable to walk or run? You can still support our efforts! Click on the Donate button on Alpha's page (below). They also accept donations through the mail by check or credit card. Their address is 1725 S. Division Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49507. No cash donations please.

For more information on this run or to support these efforts, donate by sponsoring us:
http://www.alphawc.org/