2009 — A Year For Life

It was a busy year promoting life in Halton for Halton Pro-Life. Here is a look at just some of our events and activities.

In February, Jason Jones spoke to high school students at their Culture of Life conference and afterwards at a coffee and dessert evening held jointly by Halton Pro-Life and Hamilton Right to Life. Jason, seen here with students, spoke of how at the age of 16 he discovered his girlfriend was pregnant and of the anguish he felt when she told him her father had made her have an abortion. That set him on the road to being a pro-life activist. His theme was “Abortion: It’s a fatherhood issue too.” His message to students: speak out - he did and he changed pro-choice students’ minds.

In May, we held our annual Walk for Life Walkathon which raised $7000 and drew some 30 people who walked either a 5-km or 10-km route. They gathered at St. Dominic Parish in Oakville where they were welcomed by Fr. Roger Formosi and fed at a barbecue donated by Arnold Huiselbalb, one of our business supporters.

In October was our Respect Life Sunday and the Life Chain, which drew 270 people in Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Georgetown. Shown here are pro-lifers opposite Maple RidgeMall and a group of pro-life students.

In November was our annual Respect Life dinner and fund-raiser, which brought in more than $22,000. The main speaker was Michael Clancy who took the now-famous picture of a baby reaching from his mother’s womb during an operation to repair spina bifida.

The dinner also saw our farewell to Joanne Matters as our Executive Director, and a welcome to Tom Kelly, who has taken her place. A highlight was a presentation to Bette Hamon, who founded Halton Pro-Life 35 years ago.

Bette Hamon (centre) with Past Presidents Mary Muller (left) and Camilla Gunnarson (centre standing), Past Executive Director Joanne Matters (right) and new ED Tom Kelly

Also in November, we had a booth at the Halton high schools Culture for Life Conference held at Holy Trinity school, Oakville. Students from all eight Catholic schools took part and were captivated by our display of fetal models and the video display of babies growing in the womb.

Students drawn to HPL