Lighthouse is grateful to all who joined us to take steps for life at HarvestFest 2017, held in early November at Powerhouse Church in Wyckoff.  Friends of all ages enjoyed the festive fall atmosphere, delicious food trucks, square dancing, rock climbing, children’s crafts, and more — topped off by a concert featuring the world-famous Sleepy Man band.

Prizes were awarded to those who dressed in their western best, and those who contributed to the world’s tallest (and only?) diaper bale received extra tickets toward door prizes, which included a live Christmas tree from Abma’s Farm and a dinner at Cilantro in New York City.  A total of 1,308 diapers were donated that evening to support families in need. Enjoy pictures from the photobooth HERE.

The highlight of HarvestFEST, a Lighthouse fundraiser held every other autumn, is always the concert by bluegrass band, Sleepy Man. The band is comprised of three talented brothers from New Jersey (plus friends Josh on bass and Rocco on drums). The Mizzone brothers made a big entrance on the music scene at an early age, and their musical ability, stage presence, and passion for life continues to grow as they do.  Lighthouse was honored to host Sleepy Man for a rare local performance to help save and change lives through our Paterson, Wayne and Hackensack centers.

Thanks to a matching gift, and generous contributions from volunteers, participants, and guests, HarvestFEST raised $43,000 to fund the free, life-enhancing support Lighthouse provides to women, men and teens facing or at-risk-for unplanned pregnancies. This equals more than one month of operations at Lighthouse’s busiest center plus relationship programs in local schools. 

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After a dozen years, it still doesn’t get old.  Every Mother’s Day, I am reminded of the women Lighthouse has supported to make brave choices – choices that have changed their lives and their children’s forever, for the better. Often their first life choice caused a ripple effect that brought abundant life and joy to those around them.

This Mother’s Day I am especially grateful to those who give sacrificially to Lighthouse to make our free services available to women like Julia.  Here is her story, which she shared at one of our past banquets:

Hi, my name is Julia.  I came to Lighthouse in 2011 after googling free pregnancy test center sites. 

Being an unemployed recent college graduate and newlywed, I was worried about how having a baby would burden me with responsibilities I wasn’t ready to handle.  I thought this unplanned pregnancy would throw my plans for a foreign service career out the window and possibly keep me unemployed for several years.   

I admit that I did consider abortion so I liked the fact that the Lighthouse website reached out to undecided, unprepared women like me and that it was free.  When I finally made an appointment to get that free pregnancy test, I met Marissa, who provided me with the free resources available to not only test for pregnancy but also to care for the baby afterwards.  My husband and I were amazed at how much easier and more possible giving birth became, just by knowing that an organization like Lighthouse was ready to support us every step of the way to delivery and even beyond childbirth. 

How could we resist the love of God we received through Lighthouse?  Lighthouse had given us our first picture of Brian taken at 6 weeks, and that was enough to cancel out any thought of abortion.  My first visit was followed by phone calls from Marissa, who continued to care and provide me with resources that prepared me for childbirth.  So then, my husband and I benefitted further from watching videos on the childbirth process and bringing home some items for Brian like baby clothes, toys and a washtub. 

In this way, Lighthouse became an example to us and our unbelieving parents of how Christian love builds families and communities.  Please pray with us that like Lighthouse, we, too, will be able to touch and improve the lives of others around us.  Thank you.   

This mother’s day I am also thinking of and praying for another young woman named Julia. This young woman bravely placed her son in the arms of a loving adoptive couple.  She sacrificed much to give her son the life she believed he deserved.  May God fill her arms and her heart to overflowing for this precious act of love.  And may He bless you for your precious gifts of love to those we serve.

Spring brings our Baby Bottle Boomerang!  The premise of this fundraiser is simple, but the results are profound because change changes lives!  Last year we raised over $93,000 through the change/cash/checks put into baby bottles — which equals 1.5 months of life support at all 3 Lighthouse locations —  plus healthy relationship programs for students in our community!

This year we need your support to save and change MORE lives!  Typically our Baby Bottle Boomerang launches on Mother’s Day and runs through Father’s Day. However, your church or school group may opt for the time period that works best for you!

If you would be willing to serve as the coordinator/liaison to help carry out the Baby Bottle fundraiser at your church or school or youth group, we would be so grateful.  For more information, please contact Events@LighthousePRC.org or 973-238-9047 ext. 10.

Don’t forget to post pictures of your group participating in Baby Bottle Boomerang using #BringLove2Life or #ChangeChangesLives!