Students walk to raise money for pregnancy center

The Immanuel Church raised more than $800 Saturday from its first 5K Walk for Life event at Prairie View A&M University to help promote awareness about the right to life for the unborn child. The donations from the walk-a-thon will help fund the purchase of a new ultrasound for the Waller Pregnancy Care Center which is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young women and men who are facing an unplanned pregnancy by offering support through counseling, education, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Immanuel Church children's ministry benefited from the cause as well.
Pastor David Charleston kicked off the walk-a-thon with an opening prayer. The executive director of New Beginnings Pregnancy Center, Amanda Thornton from Brenham, Texas, followed with a dynamic pep talk that encouraged the participants to persevere during the walk because it represented their faith.
Joint committee chair leader Melanie Charleston shared her thoughts about the event.
"We wanted to bring people together and to show how all life is important," said Charleston.
Many walkers were PV students and community residents.
"I came out to support because I'm dedicating my time to something that is good," senior biology major Devesha Lester said.
Freshman chemistry major Codianne Carnegie felt overwhelmed with joy in supporting the cause. "The contributions that we made by walking and standing for something that is very important would definitely make a difference on our college campus," said Carnegie.
The participants agreed that this event could greatly affect the students at the university if faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
"It sends a positive message to the PV students and it will help them realize that the decision that they make as college students can be a life changing decision," said Prairie View resident Andrea Miller.
Waller Pregnancy Care Center wants those who are making decisions about their pregnancy to come to 1018 Saunders St., Waller, Texas 77484, for support and resources. In addition, the center assist mothers and fathers with babies under the age of one.
Graduate mechanical engineering major Titus Woodson believes that the walk-a-thon will put the Waller Pregnancy Care Center on the map.
Prairie View alumna Shawna Jackson believes PV students should become involved and support events like the 5K Walk for Life.
"Connected to Immanuel Church and the Waller Pregnancy Care Center, both enrich and serve the community and will positively support the PV student in continuing their education through parenthood as they did for me," said Jackson.
This was a day that exemplified unity in the community as they walked for life. Despite the rain showers, students and supporters walked around campus and finished strong in the end.
"I'm really happy. We're looking forward to doing it again next year even bigger and better," said Charleston.