Editor, Times-Union: Recently Kosciusko County Right to Life received a note from an individual stating, "When the 'Right to Life' people act to help others you might get my support." The note was attached to a letter from a Dear Abby column in which the writer said that people who carry big signs and stand out in front of abortion clinics should do something that actually helps women.
Since the person who sent us this note did not provide their name, and because this type of concern comes along from time to time, I decided to respond through this newspaper.
First of all, my wife and I have adopted our three children. Two were foster children and the third we adopted as a newborn. His birth mother had considered abortion before making the loving decision to adopt out her child. However, adoption isn't the only way that pro-lifers help.
Pro-lifers give their time and money to pregnancy centers that exist to help women in a variety of ways. We are blessed with Heartline Pregnancy Center here in Kosciusko County. Kosciusko County Right to Life realizes that we can't just tell a woman to not abort and then not give her the help she needs to continue her pregnancy. We are able to offer this help by directing them to Heartline. Although Heartline is not directly connected with Right to Life, we give significant amounts of money to their efforts.
We also help women who have had abortions. Studies have shown that eight out of 10 women who have abortions will suffer some form of post-abortive problems.
Kosciusko County Right to Life is working to help these women and families deal with abortion-related problems. We have made available a CD that has been produced to allow a post-abortive woman work through her difficulties in the privacy of her own home. We are also bringing in a professional group to perform a musical called "The Choice" which will help women, men and families understand that God can forgive and heal. In addition, this musical will help others realize the need to reach out to people affected by abortion.
Right to Life people are giving time and money to help people see that life (both born and unborn) is valuable and worth protecting. Pro-lifers also volunteer their time through a number of organizations and church groups that reach out to women, men and families who need support, as well as working as foster parents. Please call Kosciusko County Right to Life at 267-3481, if you would like to know more about these groups or for more information about help available for women suffering from post-abortive problems.
Finally, I should respond to the argument that people who stand out in front of abortion clinics aren't doing anything. They are doing what society in general does not do and that is inform people that abortion is not the answer to the difficulty they are facing and that there are better options.
Dave Koontz Executive Director Kosciusko County Right to Life
Shovel Your Walks
Editor, Times-Union: I want to know why the people in this town will not shovel their walks. I can understand if you're elderly or too disabled to do it. You can contact me at 268-0155. Ask for Artie.
People should understand that if they don't shovel their walks and someone falls and gets injured, they can be sued because it is their responsibility to maintain their walks. This also goes for the businesses in town. Remember, your laziness can cost a lot of money if someone gets hurt walking on your sidewalk.
Arthur E. Clark Warsaw
Remembering Barney
Editor, Times-Union: This is being written in the hope that something good could come from something bad.
Have you ever had a friend who was loyal and true? Who wanted to be with you through thick and through thin?
Have you ever had a friend who stayed by your side in sickness and refused to leave?
Have you ever had a friend who loved you unconditionally and never judged, just loved?
Have you ever had a friend who went everywhere with you and never complained?
Have you ever had a friend who just loved to play and make you laugh?
Have you ever had a friend who stood by you through all the hard times in your lie?
Have you ever had such a friend?
My friend was all the above and much, much more. He kept me company and I depended on him. I loved him more than words can say. He was taken from me Dec. 20. Life will never be the same.
I am not a member of the Animal Welfare League, but there are friends just like Barney that need good homes, who would love you unconditionally. Could you give one a home? If you can, tell them Barney sent you.
In memorium: Barney, May 1990 - Dec. 20, 2002
Laura Tenney Pierceton
Helping Hands
Editor, Times-Union: How do we begin to thank everyone who has given so generously since our home burned on Dec. 26th? I don't think we can. We have received bags of clothes left at the office and at our parents' home and we don't even know who they're from. We have received blank envelopes of money.
Thank you to everyone. Thank you to Tony and Kathy Lloyd for your generosity. Thank you to Kevin and Danielle Miller for helping us find a home in which to live. Thank you to our co-workers for all of your generous gifts given to Abbey and to us. Thank you Derek, Dustin and Tina for being there with us as our home burned. Thank you three for having an arm around me when I needed it the most. Thank you to the fire departments of Burket, Akron, Silver Lake and Mentone for all that you did to try to save our home. Thank you to the Bakers, our wonderful neighbors, for keeping Abbey safe and warm while we dealt with this crisis. Thank you to our best friends, the Nisleys, for always being there with us. We may have lost our home and all that was in it, but we truly have what is meaningful and important. We have our children, our family, our friends and our love for each of you.
