VALDOSTA — “God has created you for more,” David Wilkinson said to attendees at the Options Now annual fundraiser Tuesday. “This is your night for more…God has a number for you to give tonight.”

And give they did.

Options Now raised more than $181,000 to further its mission during the course of a two-hour dinner. The theme for this year’s dinner fundraiser was “A legacy of celebrating life for 25 years.”

The clinic identifies itself as “a Christ-centered ministry, which advances the sanctity of human life and sexual purity, empowering individuals to make life-affirming choices.”

Wilkinson delivered the keynote address, calling on the attendees to live a life fully committed to Christ.

“First chair Christians are 100 percent committed to Christ,” Wilkinson said. “This is a life of sacrifice. A first chair Christian understands there’s something called stewardship. They don’t believe in tithing. They don’t believe in giving. They don’t have anything to give anyway because everything has been given to them through the Lord. When you do that, it’s never about a number. It’s about His heart.”

Executive Director Becky Deas highlighted the 1853 Red Rose Births, babies born to at-risk moms, the clinic has been involved in for the past 25 years.

Options Now had 227 Red Rose Births in 2015. “Our battle strategy is simple,” Deas wrote in the Winter 2016 edition of Life Now, the Options Now publication. “Prevention of pregnancies through our sexual risk avoidance program, Choose Now. Intervention in a mom’s life as she makes a life or death decision about her unborn baby and resolution through Biblical healing for those who have been wounded through an abortion decision.”

Stories of women affected by crisis pregnancies who turned to Options Now for guidance were shared during the dinner. Their stories were featured in the 2016 calendar. The calendar showcases children who are considered Red Rose Births, ranging from newborns to young adults in their twenties.

Ann Brady and Jeff McLeod performed the song “This is My Story” as entertainment for the evening.

Deas also praised the success of the Repeat Boutique Thrift Stores.The stores help fund the clinic through the sale of community donations. For 2015, the thrift store generated $75,616 in income. Repeat Boutique has two locations: 285 Norman Drive and 428 Northside Drive. 

Options Now provides pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasound, sexual transmitted infection testing, education on pregnancy options, community referrals, healthy relationship education, peer support, ‘Earn while you Learn’ parenting incentive program and post-abortion recovery care. All services are free of charge.

Deas detailed the successes of 2015.

Forty-three percent of patients are 20-24 years old, 22 percent are 25-29, 21 percent are 15-19, almost nine percent are 30-34, almost six percent are 35 and older and less than one percent are under 15, according to the 2015 report.

Options Now averaged 68 volunteers a month for a total contribution of 8,201 hours for the clinic and thrift shop, for 2015.

Sponsors for the dinner included anonymous givers, Arrow Screen Printing, A. Tim Brady, M.D., Cass Burch Automotive Group, Covington’s Dining and Catering, Lee and Shannon Crowder, Wayne Edwards, J. Glenn Gregory & Associates Architects, Kerrigan Davis Capital and Risk Management, Lee Office Equipment, McLane Cremation and Funeral Services, Tyson and Mary Sue McLane, Nexxtep Technology Services, Renasant Bank, South Georgia Eye Partners, Southern OB/GYN Associates, Southern Pediatric Clinic, Southland Pawn and Jewelry, The Herndon Company and Traditions Flooring.

Options Now is a 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible. The clinic receives no government funding.

For more information visit: www.optionsnow.org or call (229)506-501. Options Now is located at 214 W. Park Ave. 

Jennifer Dandron is a reporter at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 244-3400 ext. 1255.