To the editor:
AIM Women's Center thanks the community for a successful March 22 fundraising banquet, "Celebrating 25 Years of Love, Life and Healing." Nearly 500 friends gathered at the Serbian-American Cultural Center to support the cause for life in the Ohio Valley, so that AIM can continue to provide free pregnancy services. Without our friends in the Tri-State Area, we would not have the privilege of serving the women and their families who are abortion-vulnerable.
Speaker David Bereit, director of 40 Days for Life, reminded us to remain vigilant in the pro-life arena. Thanks to Pastor Clint Quillen of Wintersville United Methodist Church for the invocation; Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Kurt Kemo for the benediction; and Sharon Maedke, AIM director; Ginna Dombrowski, nurse manager; and Jeff Rankin, board president, for their presentations.
Underwriters who made the banquet possible included Thrifty Car Rental; Dr. John Balzano and family; St. Agnes Catholic Church and Women's Club; Christian Fellowship Foundation; memorial to Mary Stover; Trinity E.C.H.O. Fund; Wendt Touring Inc.; Franciscan University of Steubenville; HyperDo Media; McBane Insurance and Financial Services Inc.; Nelson Fine Arts & Gifts; Frank Noble Jr.; Jeff and Kathy Rankin; Sherrin and Associates; Dr. Jeffrey Starre; Christopher Wright; and World Radio Telecommunications and Tri-State Security.
Table sponsors included Richard and Rosemary Adams; Catholics United for the Faith; Christ's Community Church; Colonial Baptist Church; Community of God's Love; memorials to Ed and Eileen Davis and Dorie Heckman; Franciscan friars, TOR; Bonnie J. Hunt of Howard Hanna Realty; Dan and Lynette Hawrot; Holy Family Catholic Church; Shannon and Stephen Hughes; Irvin Insurance Services; J. Zamberlan & Co.; Dr. Mark Kissinger; Mass Mutual Brokerage; Mosti Funeral Home; Dr. Frank and Eileen Petrola; St. Peter's Catholic Church; FUS Students for Life; Trinity Health System; Dr. Belen Vargas; and ZPA Accounting.
Thanks to Nino Karas and Dorothy Zatezalo of the Serbian center; the Martin family; Lou Contumelio of Aardvark Productions; Lou and Kathy DiGregory of DiGregory's Greenhouse; Mark and Gretchen Nelson of Nelson Fine Arts & Gifts; Marie Highfield; Jason Rivers of the UPS Store and Amos Communications; Gus' Goodies; General Rental; Christen Fischer; Madeline Nelson; and Sodexo Food Services, Kim Pentes and Mary Decker of Valley Wine Center and Riesbeck's for their donations toward our VIP reception.
Thanks also to the volunteers and staff at AIM Women's Center and Rachel's Vineyard Retreats: Dr. Jeffrey Starre, medical director; director Sharon Maedke; Ginna Dombrowski; Sherry Conrad; Noreen DeFord; Barbara Materniak; Jen Rice; Jennifer Greene; Teri Janosco; Nicole Janosco; Valerie Stewart; Fran Antol; Barbara Fischer; Sisters Maria Pio and Miri Francesca, TOR; the Rev. Jim Morman, TOR; Lynette Hawrot and Josh and Cruz Hawrot.
Finally, I would like to thank the board of directors - Jeff Rankin, Shannon Minch-Hughes, Tammy Zinno, Pastor Vaughn Foster, Kurt Gotta, Joy Irvin, Mark Nelson and Chris Wendt.
With the funds raised, AIM will continue to empower individuals to make healthy life choices regarding their sexuality, consistent with the sanctity of human life, serving more than 1,400 clients this year.
To God be the glory.
Lisa Ledyard
AIM events
Coordinator
