Pregnancy Help Center eyes mobile unit

Linda Tillinghast laughs at a joke Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, during a stand-up routine by Robert G. Lee at the Pregnancy Help Center's seventh annual banquet at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center.
Linda Tillinghast laughs at a joke Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, during a stand-up routine by Robert G. Lee at the Pregnancy Help Center's seventh annual banquet at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Convention Center.

The Pregnancy Help Center of Central Missouri hosted its seventh annual banquet Tuesday at Capitol Plaza Hotel with the intent to raise $140,000 to purchase a mobile unit.

The Pregnancy Help Center is one of two local resource centers for women in need of free pregnancy resources.

Leslie Kerns, executive director at Pregnancy Help Center in Jefferson City, said this past year their office served 591 clients from across Central Missouri.

"The purpose of our banquet is to continue to increase our visibility and inform the community of the services we offer," Kerns said.

The center offers pregnancy tests, ultrasound scans, parenting classes, licensed professional counselors and referrals to partnering agencies. Clients also can take advantage of the center's baby boutique, where parents can pick up clothes, blankets and other necessities.

"With transportation being a barrier to many of clients, a mobile unit will offer the opportunity to go to the clients and provide on-site ultrasounds," Kerns said. "We hope to be able to achieve this goal in the near future."

For more information about Pregnancy Help Center's services, contact Kerns at 573-644-6635 or visit the center's office at 1760 Southridge Drive, Suite A, in Jefferson City.