Knights of Columbus donate sonogram machine to Mother and Unborn Baby Care

Knights of Columbus present Mother and Unborn Baby Care with a check for a new ultrasound machine. Top Row: George Aurelio - Council 17024; SK Drew Armentrout - 2813; SK John Woerly - 17024; SK Charlie Gappa - 2813; Pat Pelletier; Jim Pelletier; Jim Foertsch - 2813; SK John La Fleur – 2813. Bottom Row: SK Duane Oefinger - 7175; SK Kevin Schwan - 7175 (courtesy photo)

BURLESON – The St. Ann Knights of Columbus Council 7175 in Burleson initiated an effort last fall to provide support to a local Fort Worth organization, Mother and Unborn Baby Care Center.

The project director, SK Duane Oefinger, visited the pro-life pregnancy resource center and discovered the nonprofit was growing and had built a new larger facility.  

Consequently, the pro-life center required an additional sonogram machine, which enables them to serve more mothers in need and their unborn babies.

Oefinger developed a plan for fundraising and approached the Council’s leadership.

Through multiple breakfast events and an extremely successful Mardi Gras celebration, Council 7175 was able to obtain a large part of the required funding. 

Additionally, several other local Councils within the Diocese of Fort Worth stepped up to contribute to this campaign: Bishop Dunne Council 2813 donated $2500; St Andrew Council 9868 donated $1325; St Francis of Assisi Council 7099 donated $500; NAS Fort Worth JRB Council 17024 donated $150.

As a group effort, the Knights presented the check for $10,540 to the Mother and Unborn Baby Care Center on June 7.

Pat Pelletier, co-founder of Mother and Unborn Baby Care, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled with what the Knights have done to help us. We lean on the Knights a lot for assistance. They have been good to us.”

According to Pelletier, many women who visit the center are considering leaving the state for an abortion, but seeing an ultrasound of the unborn baby can be a powerful tool to change minds and hearts.