Monday's 2006 Kosciusko County Right to Life Banquet at Warsaw Community Church was a chance for the group to look back on 2006 and ahead to 2007.

Mike Williams, last year's speaker, served as emcee for the event. The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus presented the Colors, and Lachelle Conley sang "God Bless America," with an accompanying video by Celia Sinkhorn. The invocation was given by Pastor Mark Eastway.

Three Mary Louise Lowe Life Awards were presented for significant contributions to the pro-life movement in Kosciusko County. William Landrigan, president of the board of directors of KCRTL, presented the awards to: Rabb Kinetico Water Systems, as "one of the first to publicly attach a company name to KCRTL, and for their steady support from the very beginning." Don Clemens accepted the award.

The second award went to the late Betty Morgan (Chandler Williams and family) for various efforts, including financial support of the Pro-Life Music Festival.

The third award was given to Charles and Alice Koontz, who have had "major impact through their commitment of hours of work behind the scene and their biblical convicition to the sanctity of life."

Allison McSherry represented Rep. Mark Souder, who was unable to attend. In a video, Souder said, "I'm committed to standing up for those least able to stand up for themselves."

Dave Koontz, executive director of KCRTL, presented the highlights of this year's accomplishments: pro-life and Heartline Pregnancy Center billboards placed around Kosciusko County; sponsorship of the Pro-Life Music Festival; pre-movie pro-life and Heartline Pregnancy advertisements at North Pointe Theater; promotion of pro-life events for teens; and coordination of the annual Life Chain event. Koontz said, "Our goal is to create a culture of life in Kosciusko County."

The 2006 Kosciusko County Life Chain will be Sunday in Warsaw and Syracuse. The Syracuse chain is from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., with check-in at the corner of Ind. 13 and Pittsburgh Street. The Warsaw chain is from 2 to 3 p.m., with check-in at the corner of Prairie and Buffalo streets or Indiana and Winona Avenue. Following the Life Chain, Silent No More will give a special presentation from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m. at the Warsaw Evangelical Presbytrerian Church, 210 S. High St. Silent No More is a group of women who have had abortions and experienced God's forgiveness and healing.

Koontz introduced Jo Faulkner, Heartline Pregnancy Center, who provided an update on Heartline activities. Faulkner announced they now have an ultrasound nurse and spoke of the significant increase in adoption over the last two years. Heartline started the car seat safety program, which began with only a few participating, and grew to 77 car seats in the last check, of which 60 were replaced. The Teens 'n' Tots program has grown from 12 full-time participants last year to 25 this year. She also thanked the churches of the community for answering a recent request to supply formula for Teens 'n' Tots.

The keynote speaker was Tim DeTellis, who said, "We're here to get to the heart of the matter - get to young women before it's too late." A "preacher's kid," he spoke of his experiences setting up a mission with his family in Haiti and the importance of reaching "one life."

Pastor John B. Lowe II gave the closing prayer. [[In-content Ad]]