May 4, 2010

By Jonathan Rogers

First off, a reminder: Mother's day is this coming Sunday, May 9th. So don't forget to take Mom out to lunch, or at least send her a card or call home. 

I know that many of our chapters and right to life groups have plenty going on for Mother's Day, whether it's a rose sale, or signature ad, a dinner, or some other activity. Mother's Day activities aren't just a good idea in and of themselves; they're also powerful tools for local right to life groups to share their message and raise their image in the community. In brief, here's what communities across America will probably see from their local chapters and state affiliates:

• Signature ads: a great way to boost a chapter's profile. Often begun week's or month's in advance, your chapter can arrange to take an ad out in a local newspaper, then collect signatures from area pro-lifers which will be printed in the add. By asking for small suggested donations, the chapter can raise enough money to cover costs, and perhaps a little more for other projects, and the number of signatures in the ad will show readers just how many pro-life neighbors they have.

• Rose sale: It's not a coincidence that both pro-lifer's and mother's claim the rose for their own. Some right to life chapters hold rose sales around mother's day as fundraisers, purchasing roses in bulk and selling them at area churches and events. If you were planning on giving flowers to Mom already, why not support a good cause at the same time?

• Pro-life dinner: If you're willing to put some extra planning and organizing in, you can organize a pro-life dinner, banquet, or even barbeque for Mother's Day. Invite a well known speaker, or give your annual pro-life awards. Ticket proceeds can cover the cost and help fund chapter projects as well.

If your chapter is participating in one of these events (or something else), let us know how it goes. We like love to hear from our chapters out there. (jonathan@nrlc.org) If your chapter is running a signature ad, send us a copy!

Mother's Day is one of the great pro-life holidays. Much of our time and energy in the pro-life movement is devoted (as it must be) to focusing on the tragedy of abortion, so it's wonderful to have an uplifting day where we can celebrate the gift of life and give thanks to mother's everywhere. Pro-lifer's know that our message to the world isn't a cry to "limit" a woman's actions, but a wholesome affirmation that what's best for unborn children also happens to be best for the mother as well.

So take time this Mother's day to say thank you to your mother for giving you the gift of life. Of course that's in addition to thanking her for raising you, taking care of you, and putting up with you all these years. That's certainly true in my case; the older I get the more I realize how grateful I ought to be (Mom handled that affair with the slingshot and the passing car remarkably well as I remember; to say nothing of the BB gun).

Thanks Mom, Happy Mother's Day.

Be sure to read "National Right to Life News Today" (www.nationalrighttolifenewstoday.org) and please send me your thoughts on any or all parts at daveandrusko@gmail.com.

Part Three
Part One