Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center to host their annual banquet. Courtesy | Facebook

Hillsdale’s Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center will host its second annual Fall Banquet Oct. 10 in the college’s Searle Center. 

“It is a great opportunity for new and returning supporters to gather together, share a meal, and celebrate the work that God has done through Helping Hands,” Executive Director Bryce Asberg said. 

The organizer’s of the banquet hope to acknowledge the work of Helping Hands in the community over the past year.

The dinner will allow supporters to hear about the work of the center, Helping Hands’ office coordinator Emelie Randell said. 

“This dinner will have an opportunity for our supporters to hear how the center is doing, what we are accomplishing, and how they can help advance our ministry’s important work,” she said.

Helping Hands is Hillsdale County’s only pregnancy resource center, offering a variety of pregnancy services for mothers, as well as parenting resources, Asberg said.

“We serve Hillsdale County by providing free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and options consultation,” Asberg said. “We support mothers and fathers through a robust parenting mentorship program and generous material assistance. Our aim is to equip women and men to make life-affirming decisions about pregnancy, parenting, and sexuality through the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

The dinner will provide an update on the center’s recent work, feature a keynote speaker, and raise funds for its work in the coming year. 

“This year, our keynote speaker is Jim Sprague, the CEO of PRC Grand Rapids, the largest pregnancy center in the state,” Asberg said. “Sprague will speak about his experience at PRC, the work that they do, and how Helping Hands is carrying on the same, critical mission right here in Hillsdale County.”

Guests will be able to contribute to the further work of Helping Hands.

“At the end of the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to support Helping Hands by giving a recurring or one-time gift,” Asberg said. “The funds raised at this banquet are critical in supporting the work of the ministry.”

Asberg stressed the importance of the banquet for the nonprofit’s operation. 

“As a private nonprofit, we operate without any government support,” he said. “This means we rely on generous donors across this community, hundreds of individuals who give to keep our doors open.”

While the ticket RSVP deadline has already passed, the waiting list is still open and can be accessed by calling the Helping Hands office at 517-437-7020.