Walk for Life celebration draws a crowd

Published 6:55 am Thursday, September 26, 2019

People from all around Stanly County came out Wednesday evening at Market Station in support of the Pregnancy Resource Center’s annual Walk for Life.

Though about 100 people were scheduled for the walk, a lot more showed up for the pre-walk carnival-themed celebration, which included children’s bouncy inflatables, a balloon twister, popcorn, cotton candy and other food.

Individuals, churches and groups raise donations to support PRC and many invite their friends to join the roughly two-mile walk through downtown Albemarle.

Jessica Ridenhour from Richfield, who regularly comes to the event, raised $2,700 for Walk for Life this year, the most she thinks she has ever raised.

“I’m very pro-life,” she said.

Gina Russell, director of the center, said the Walk for Life has been going on almost as long as the center has been in Albemarle, which is 30 years.

“It’s our desire to be able to share what the ministry does in our community and how we really want people to know that we’re here for women and men regardless of their situation,” Russell said. “We want to be able to give them information on their pregnancy so they can make informed decisions and so we can just build a culture of life in our community.”

Walk for Life balloons.

The Walk for Life meant a lot to the people who were in attendance.

“We believe so much in what the PRC does,” Albemarle resident Christian Herring said.

Herring was at the event with members of Faith Fellowship in Badin.

“I think they’re one of the finest ministries in the county,” he said. “We’re also very passionate about standing up for life, for those who can’t stand up for themselves.”

Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Stanly) was also at the celebration along with his wife, Nancy.

“These are my people,” he said. “There’s nothing more important than life. From the time a baby’s conceived until they’re old like me, every day is important.”

Abby Wheeler, who is director of development at PRC, said the Walk for Life is popular for all people, especially for young families with children.

“It’s a really good family event and it’s something that can get kids involved,” she said.

About Chris Miller

Chris Miller has been with the SNAP since January 2019. He is a graduate of NC State and received his Master's in Journalism from the University of Maryland. He previously wrote for the Capital News Service in Annapolis, where many of his stories on immigration and culture were published in national papers via the AP wire.

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