Pregnancy Center of Oxford Holds Fundraising Community Yard Sale
OXFORD – The Pregnancy Center of Oxford has taken community engagement to a new level with its first-ever community yard sale on March 23 at the historic Old Armory Pavilion. The charity event was held with the primary aim of raising funds for a much-needed mobile unit for the center. With all items including clothes for all ages donated by the community, the event painted a picture of unity and support.
Aim of the Event
The funds raised from the event are slated to go directly towards procuring a mobile unit which is designed to travel throughout Oxford and surrounding rural areas. The purpose of this unit, according to Kelly Bell, the Director of the Pregnancy Center of Oxford, is to eliminate the choice that many clients have to make between groceries or gas to reach the center due to a lack of vehicle or insufficient funding. The mobile unit aims to bridge this gap, providing crucial prenatal care to those who have limited access.
Expansion of Services and Accessibility
Bell further revealed that the organization is considering providing services closer to the university campus parking lot at St. Johns, which would allow students easy access and privacy. With no government funding, the center is entirely reliant on community donations, implying a more significant need for such fundraising initiatives. By improving access to services, the Pregnancy Center hopes to encourage more women to make use of the help available at their center.
The Center’s Vision and Services
The center is strategically located off North Lamar, near the North Oxford Baptist Church, ensuring easy access. It not only offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and consulting but also provides other essential services like a clothing boutique. All items in the store, ranging from newborn clothes to 5T, cribs, strollers, and car seats, are donated by community members, reflecting Oxford’s generosity.
One of the standout services offered by the center are parenting classes. It provides classes from the first trimester until the child is three years old. The provision of these classes encourages learning and contributing to the community as parents can earn gifts while gaining valuable parenting knowledge.
Future Prospects and Visibility
The Pregnancy Center of Oxford aims to raise awareness about its services and become a more recognisable entity in the Oxford community. The center advocates for an open-door policy, reaffirming its dedication to the community. Kelly Bell expressed, “We really want to know the people in our community. We are pro-woman, pro-family. It’s not political, and we’re trying to change that perspective of it and get more people involved.” This community yard sale might well be the first of many such initiatives geared toward supporting pregnant women and new parents in the Oxford area.