Heartline Director Honored at Right to Life Dinner
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – Heartline Pregnancy Center Director Angie Wood was honored Monday night with the Mary Louise Lowe Life Award.
The award was presented during the 2011 Legacy of Life Banquet hosted by Kosciusko County Right To Life at the Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake.
Pat Miller, Fort Wayne WOWO radio host, served as emcee for the dinner.
Peter Heck, host of “The Peter Heck Show”, which airs daily in central Indiana and centers on national, political and social issues, was the keynote speaker.
Lowe, who the award is named after, co-founded Kosciusko County Right To Life in 1973.
Recipients of the award are chosen from nominations made by people in Kosciusko County and the Right To Life board. Recipients have in some way made a pro-life impact on the community.
The dinner was attended by about 650 people.
Wood received the award for her commitment to the pro-life movement.
Brian Catron, Right To Life president, presented the award to Wood.
Heartline offers assistance with diapers, formula, maternity clothing and car seats.
Childcare and preschool services are provided to children 2 weeks old through 5 years old of students enrolled in area high schools and colleges so their parents are able to obtain their diploma.
Catron said those who work with Wood on a daily basis know that she has tremendous care and concern for the mothers who come into Heartline on a daily basis as well as their babies.
Since Wood became director in 2008, Heartline now sees more girls in the first six months than were seen over an entire year just four years ago.
The Teens ’N Tots ministry is now filled to capacity with 42 babies.
A new Teens ’N Tots ministry was started at Tippecanoe Valley.
A mentoring program was begun for men involved with women experiencing unexpected pregnancies.
Wood’s pro-life values are obvious not only in her work at Heartline as she openly advertises that the organization is pro-life but also personally, Catron said.
Wood and her family take part in the 40 Days Prayer Vigil each year, and she encourages the staff at Heartline to do the same.
Wood’s enthusiasm for Heartline’s ministry to mothers and their babies is making a difference here in Kosciusko County, Catron said.
Wood said Kosciusko County Right To Life has been a pillar of support for Heartline Pregnancy Center for more than 25 years.
She said last year 22 babies were saved from abortion in Kosciusko County as a result of the clinical services provided at Heartline Pregnancy Center.
Dave Koontz, Kosciusko County Right To Life director, reminded those who attended the dinner of the 40 Days For Life campaign that runs Wednesday through Nov. 6 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The event is a prayer vigil on the corner of Buffalo and Prairie streets in Warsaw to end abortion.
Koontz said in 2008 there were 43 abortions in Kosciusko County.
“The 43 in 2008 represents 43 innocent human beings who should have had the opportunity to live,” Koontz said. “It’s also a reminder that we still have work to do to reach women who maybe now are considering or in the future will consider abortion as an option.”
