Car wash for a cause

The bad news is -- in tough economic times, it can be hard for nonprofit organizations to raise money, and many people feel bad about not being able to donate. The good news is -- you don't have to donate money to help. You can also donate time.

This Saturday, the First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center is holding its Wash for Life project -- a collection of car washes taking place throughout the community.

"It is a local/national mission project to help raise awareness and interest in the purpose of pregnancy centers across the nation," said Juli Rice with the center. "Many of our youth and adults in the community want to help us but may not have the time or finances, so this is a great way to be a part of something so important such as human life."

Different groups form teams and compete to see who can raise the most money. All proceeds go directly to the Center.

"Last year we raised $3,833.15 with a total of nine participating teams, all of them being church-affiliated," said Rice. "The national total was $183,231.03 raised for pregnancy centers nationwide."

Fair Haven Baptist youth won the championship trophy by raising the most money. After winning three times in a row, the team gets to keep the trophy permanently -- and the bragging rights.

"They are going to have some stiff competition this year," said Rice. "We actually have a school club, the HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) team from the Shelbyville Central High Vocational School headed up by instructor Debbie Meyers. Their car wash is going to be at Badcock's from 9 a.m. to noon. This is our first, and hopefully one of many to come, school clubs to get involved."

The following youth groups will also be participating: First Baptist Church, 8 a.m. to noon at the church; Living Stones Church, 8 a.m. to noon at the church; Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church, 8:30 a.m. to noon at the church; Fair Haven Baptist Church, 8:30 a.m. to noon at The New Covenant Chrstian Bookstore; The Peoples Church in Tullahoma, 8 a.m. to noon.; Longview Baptist Church beginning at 8 a.m. at Advance Auto Parts; Southside Baptist Church at the church, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with live music and free lunches; and Mt. Lebanon United Methodist, 8 a.m. to noon, at the WBTS Clubhousein Wheel

"Missy Parsons, Youth Leader of Living Stones, has really gotten the youth and church members involved by pre-selling tickets, handing out flyers and placing them on windshields, setting up a promotional table at the church and they have also enlisted church women to make and help sell baked goods," said Rice.

If someone is physically not able to attend, they can send a tax deductible donation to First Choice and can earmark it for a participating group, if they choose.

"And for those who can't participate at all, we urge them to pray for the success of the campaign," she said.

First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center serves men and women who are facing a crisis pregnancy situation by offering free pregnancy tests, counseling, post-abortion recovery classes for men and women of all ages, abstinence and character education in the local school system, and a parenting program that offers parenting skills videos that allow participants to earn free maternity and baby items up to 24 months of age.

For more information, call the Center at 680-0066.

On the web

www.washforlife.org