10th annual PHC Banquet promises to be 'Pand-epic'

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 10th annual Pregnancy Help Center Banquet promises to be "Pand-epic" this year, according to its theme.

Pregnancy Help Center Executive Director Leslie Kerns said she wanted to acknowledge the times we are living in while giving the event an "epic" twist. And although the banquet's events will be held online via YouTube and Facebook this year, she didn't want to go without personally reaching out to the center's donors. The solution: a drive-thru style banquet.

Attendees can register for a time slot Oct. 29 to drive through Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City and pick up a boxed meal, free of charge. There, they will receive a program that includes the link to the online event.

"Having some sort of personal contact with our supporters is very important," Kerns said. "We want them to know how much they mean to us. Our center is completely dependent on donations, so we really rely on our donors."

Normally, the annual banquet is a time to tell supporters about PHC's year and plans for the future. Kerns said she wants to convey those details, "just not in a room of 550 people."

During the banquet, there will be a video testimony from a client who has received support from PHC and a timelapse of the remodeling and finished product of the center's new building, which is now at 1433 Southwest Blvd.

There will also be a keynote speaker - Kirk Walden, author and advancement specialist with Heartbeat International, a nonprofit that supports pregnancy resource centers. Walden will speak on how pregnancy centers impact the lives of those who are pregnant and new mothers.

"We're hoping when (attendees) drive through, we can give encouragement and appreciation and just let them know where we are and what we're doing," Kerns said.

PHC has remained open during the pandemic in order to serve clients.

Registration for the banquet can be found on the center's website, friendsofphc.org. The deadline to register is Oct. 22.

Those who have donated $100 or more in the calendar year are eligible for a tax credit of 50 percent of the donation.

For more information, call 573-644-6635 or email PHC at [email protected].