Published: March 13, 2009 02:12 pm      

ABBA fundraiser set for Saturday in Lindsay

For supporters of All Babies Born Alive (ABBA) there is just one place to be at 6 p.m. Saturday night — Lindsay’s Centennial Hall.

The annual fundraiser dinner is a get-together for the hundreds of people who work with and for the organization including volunteers, ABBA staff, people whose lives were touched by ABBA, board members, special guests, city and county officials and many of the organization’s loyal supporters.

ABBA executive director Sandee Feyereisen said the popular event is close to a sell-out, but guests can still obtain tickets.

“Unfortunately we have had some conflicts with local church events and that may affect attendance, however; some tickets will still be available at the door because of this and we encourage anyone who would like to attend to come on out and enjoy the program,” she said.

So for response to ticket sales has been positive.

“Over 500 tickets have been sold and some tickets will still be available for purchase at the will call table just before our silent auction begins at 6:30 on Saturday evening. We have received approximately 100 items for our silent auction including handmade quilts, tool kits, original paintings, art prints, a $500. value truck bed spray in liner, jewelry, collector coins, a State of Texas Collector's Christmas Ornament, a hunter's gift basket, tanning gift certificates with tanning products supplied, Sony electronics gifts, Easter baskets for babies, floral arrangements, live plants, books, toys, $100 dry cleaners gift certificate, and many more items,” she said.

ABBA is a multi-denominational service agency which provides services and support primarily for families facing crisis pregnancy situations.

It is also a pro-life organization.

Volunteers and pastors from various faiths serve ABBA.

For instance, Bill Black — the pastor of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and ABBA chairman of the board is set to be master of ceremonies and to add closing comments at the event.

“Pastors and priests from across Cooke, Denton and Grayson County will participate in this area wide pro-life fundraiser to benefit the work of ABBA Women's Center. Our speaker will be Father Ken Robinson who presides over Sacred Heart Church in Muenster. Father Ken is a strong pro-life speaker and the people of his parish are avid ABBA supporters and many volunteer,” Feyereisen said.

The event is not just a fundraiser.

It is a rally of sorts complete with testimonials about the good ABBA has done in the community.

“We will highlight several heartwarming client success stories and interview an entire family whose lives were drastically changed as they bonded around a new addition to the family. (We will also share stories of )several abortion-minded clients who changed their minds and chose life for their babies without regrets because ABBA was there to answer their questions and make a difference in their lives,” she added.

This has been a busy year for the organization.

“We've had a record breaking number of client visits this year totaling 4, 552 coming for assistance,” Feyereisen said.

ABBA also moved to a larger building last summer.

As with any non-profit agency, ABBA depends on the kindness and dedication of its volunteers.

“ABBA has over 240 volunteers who have worked diligently through many transitions this past year. We are so thankful to have such dedicated and loyal workers, teachers, staff and a wonderful board of directors,” she said.

Feyereisen said she especially touched by the number of younger ABBA supporters.

“It's great to see so many young people involved in helping ABBA for community service projects. An eagle scout from Muenster, Joe Hesse, completed a beautiful landscaping project last summer. Eighth grader Abby Waltersheid of Muenster created a baby item drive in the Muenster Public Schools. As a result, the third grade class to won the competition and received a pizza party and Abby earned her silver award. She delivered hundreds of newborn baby gifts and toys to ABBA with the help of her mother Dana Waltersheid .. We are thrilled to have Phyllis Griffin with the Cooke County Extension Office coordinate servers and hostesses for this event from 4-H Club Members and some of their mothers from across Cooke County,” she noted.

Tickets for the ABBA banquet are $25 each and include a meal catered by Donna Hertel of Miss Olivia’s Catering and music by Copper Canyon Blue Grass Band — a group of Christian musicians from Lewisville.