First Choice cleans up: $2.8K from Wash for Life

Seven Bedford County churches united to raise more than $2,800 Sept. 12 for First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center.

Each church held a car wash; 217 locals had their cars cleaned and shined by 113 volunteers.

"We are ecstatic and very grateful to all of the participating churches and also to all of those who had their cars washed or made donations," said Melanie Lambert, the center's director. "For this to be our first year doing this, to raise that much money is terrific. There were a lot of churches involved. I'm very happy."

First Choice Pregnancy Center offers care, counseling and support to those who face pregnancy and abortion-related issues. They offer free pregnancy tests, parenting classes, abstinence-only education and life-affirming alternatives to abortion.

First Baptist, Southside Baptist, First United Methodist, Fair Haven Baptist, Shelbyville Mills Baptist, Peoples Church of Tullahoma and Calvary Baptist all contributed to the fundraiser. Woodfork Chapel AME made a donation, but did not hold a car wash.

Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church will hold its car wash this weekend and proceeds from that will be added to the total from Sept. 13.

Fair Haven Baptist Church raised more than $800 at its fundraiser, which was the most of any of the churches, and received a trophy for its efforts. This was the first year for the fundraiser, but the trophy will be passed on each year to the church that raises the most money. Any church that raises the most for three years in a row will retire the trophy.

Lambert learned about the national Wash For Life benefit while attending a First Choice directors meeting in Memphis months ago. She knew it would be a great way to get local youth groups involved while helping her center at the same time.

"(Proceeds) from the car washes go directly to us," said Lambert, who said the center is trying to become a medical facility such that ultrasounds can be done in the office. She hopes to use proceeds toward reaching that goal.

Wash for Life was founded in 2006 by a group of six students and recent graduates from Thomas Aquinas College in California.

This year, nationally, the fundraiser raised more than $20,000, and tabulations are still incomplete, Lambert said.

Jonathan Tonkowich, director of Wash for Life, came up with the idea of a car wash designed to get young people involved in the pro-life movement while sitting in his math class.

Pro-life is a term used to describe a person or group of people who oppose abortion and believe that any unborn child has a right to life.

Lambert said next year's Wash For Life will be held Sept. 19.