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OPC to host major fundraiser, Night of Light Celebration

Amy Ford, Embrace Grace Ministries president and co-founder

Options Pregnancy Center is hosting its third annual Night of Light Celebration Banquet and Silent Auction on Sept. 27 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Fletcher Street Depot in Alpena.

Guest speaker is Amy Ford, president and co-founder of Embrace Grace Ministries in Texas. Her organization helps to connect pregnancy centers to churches as they partner together to create community and support for those facing unexpected pregnancies. This means even more long term support for clients who chose either adoption or to keep the child as many are scared and looking for safety and support.

Embrace Grace seeks to help expecting moms and dads find support in churches that are already actively serving in the community. Ford was a teen mom herself, so she brings perspective to the challenges those facing unexpected pregnancies face, from housing and relationships to finding a welcoming church home.

By churches joining with Embrace Grace, the classes and materials given to the volunteers in the church provide a road map on how to effectively create community for these fledgling families. Church should be a safe place to look for support, but often times churches are unsure about how to be open to those who might not have support after becoming unexpectedly pregnant.

Ford is also the author of “A Bump in Life: True Stories of Hope and Courage During an Unplanned Pregnancy.”

The Night of Light Celebration Silent Auction will feature many items, including a potting bench, stained glass pieces, local restaurant gift certificates, massage gift certificates and haircut certificates. The silent auction also will feature an autographed, not yet released new book from popular parenting blogger and author Jami Amerine of the website Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors.

Additionally, there is a chartered plane ride and several photography mini sessions.

“There will be all sorts of great items to be bid on,” said OPC Director Emily Potter. “Our donations are coming in daily and our community is such a generous one.”

Appetizers will be served during the beginning of the silent auction, with the banquet and handcrafted desserts by As You Wish Gourmet Eatery.

“Everyone loved the food last year so much, we stuck with their wonderful delights again this year,” Potter said. “Fletcher Street Depot is a beautiful venue and has a great ambiance, which will be enhanced by our speaker’s presentation and the music of Laura Frawley, a local singer and songwriter.”

All proceeds go to continuing and expanding OPC’s work in the community serving those facing unexpected pregnancies and related issues.

“We continue to evaluate, expand and add services as we grow and new needs become visible,” Potter said. “This is our largest fundraiser of the year and helps sustain OPC, a non-profit that runs on donor funds and grants alone. Our volunteers have seen 15 new clients since our last event in June.”

Potter also said the need is here, and that OPC seeks to provide support and a bridge to help connect clients with services they might not be aware of as well as offer long term connection to a safe place.

Tickets are limited and available from Olivet Book & Gift, Neiman’s Family Market or any OPC board member. For more information, call the center at 989-354-6089.

Amy Ford, Embrace Grace
Ministries president and co-founder

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