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NRL News
Pikes
Peak
Citizens for Life: A Well-Oiled Machine Colorado Springs, Colorado, is home to many of the best things America has to offer. It has its share of pro-abortion zealots too, so we can be grateful that one of the most organized local pro-life chapters in the country is operating there as well. Pikes Peak Citizens for Life (PPCFL), newly reorganized as an affiliate of Colorado Citizens for Life, has operated since the 1970s. The pro-lifers have successfully managed their organization to the point that they have an office staffed by volunteers, a regular fundraising program, volunteers to staff booths for regular educational activities, a budget that affords public relations campaigns, and a monthly newsletter. For those chapters reading this who are not at this point yet, PPCFL did not get here overnight. But its success can serve as an example and as an inspiration. By paying attention to their community, PPCFL supporters have taken advantage of several creative opportunities to reach the public at-large. For example, in addition to hosting educational booths at the county fair and at pro-life church events, they noticed that one shopping mall in their area provided community groups with table space to promote their work. Pikes Peak Citizens for Life seized the opportunity to reach so many people for free and now operates a booth at the mall one day every other month. By providing fetal development information, as well as true-to-life fetal models for children to hold, the booth attracts many young people to learn about life’s beginnings. By tapping into free resources and local media, Pikes Peak Citizens for Life has a healthy public relations program. PPCFL has sponsored several billboards that have demonstrated that with a succinct, positive message, you can advertise the sanctity of life and the presence of a local chapter. Many other chapters have published signature ads that show the same thing. In some cases, local Christian and conservative radio stations will advertise pro-life events for free, run public service announcements, or interview chapter leaders on pro-life news, legislation, and events. These are affordable ways to reach the public at-large using mass media. PPCFL has been able to fund its educational efforts by conducting fundraising campaigns each year, as well as collecting monthly donations from many of its members. In addition to publicly putting its supporters’ dollars to good use, the monthly newsletter to members certainly helps, both as a regular reminder to give and as a way to demonstrate that the organization is using their funds to educate the community. Mario Branciforte, PPCFL’s president, described another benefit of the group’s public relations: “The synergy that is nice is that with us doing the public relations work, we take the heat, which frees the [crisis pregnancy center] to focus on its mission of helping women and their unborn babies.” Pikes Peak Citizens for Life’s focus on educating the community on the life issues has led it to become a stable, thriving group recognized by friends and foes alike for its effectiveness. “The officers, board members, and volunteers of Pikes Peak Citizens for Life demonstrate what is best about the pro-life movement and its millions of members,” said Connie Pratt, president of Colorado Citizens for Life. “They are sensitive, selfless, dedicated, and determined. They address the whole range of life issues, are active in every sphere of our important work, and are innovative in their approach and their outreach. It’s no wonder they so effectively speak for vulnerable people ... and for life!” |