Women’s Care Center (WCC) last month hosted its 10th annual Luxury Bingo at the Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin. WCC, which serves underprivileged mothers during and after their pregnancies, has two locations in Columbus and recently received a new ultrasound machine from the Knights of Columbus.

WCC’s Luxury Bingo aims to provide a fun-filled “thank you” to the organization’s donors . Speakers during the evening told stories and offered statistics about how donations have helped WCC reduce abortion rates in Columbus and aid struggling mothers and their babies.

About 375 attendees played seven games of bingo to win deluxe prizes, including a $1,000 gift certificate to The Spa at River Ridge in Dublin and a three-night stay at Shell Island Resort in North Carolina. Guests also could make additional donations to WCC. 

Madeline Pesavento, director of outreach for WCC, said the evening was likely “our most financially successful event to date.”

Bishop Earl Fernandes opened the event with a speech about the need for financial donations not only to assist women while they are pregnant but also for their journeys through parenthood. “We’re not just against abortion, we’re pro-life,” he said. “We care for women, their children, their families, and we walk with them.”

Pesavento thanked those attending for their contributions and for making Women’s Care Center successful. “Thanks to all of you, the Women’s Care Center has flourished throughout our over 14-year history,” she said. “We … have become the go-to resource, the first stop for pregnant women in need. … We’re excited to share that with the newest numbers – 1 in every 8 babies (in our community) are born to Care Center moms, and … abortions (in Columbus) have declined 47 percent since we opened our doors in 2008.”

Pesavento told the story of a WCC client named Meiry, who felt lost and afraid upon finding out she was pregnant. “But when Meiry Googled where she could receive an ultrasound, Women’s Care Center came up first,” Pesavento said. “She called to make an appointment and came to the center that same day.” 

In the following months, Meiry completed 95 of the parenting classes WCC offers, despite a two-hour bus ride to attend.

“With 95 classes, Meiry earned everything she could possibly need (from the Crib Club Baby Store) to welcome her daughter, Maya, into the world,” Pesavento said. WCC’s Crib Club Baby Store carries baby supplies that clients can purchase with coupons earned by doing positive things for their children, such as attending the classes.

“But Meiry’s story doesn’t stop there,” Pesavento said. “She will welcome her son, Aidan, in January, and Maya and Aidan’s father will attend our parenting series Strong Fathers so sweet Maya and Aidan will have two strong parents to look up to.” Pesavento then asked Meiry to stand so donors could applaud her progress.

Another WCC affiliate who was acknowledged was Kathleen Gibbons, whose mother, Kay, is a founding WCC board member. “Kathleen is a lifelong philanthropist and has always cared deeply for the WCC,” Pesavento said.

Maria Frommeyer, another WCC board member, said the Luxury Bingo fundraiser was Gibbons’ idea 10 years ago. Frommeyer said it at first sounded crazy but became a tremendous success.

“Yes, it was a crazy idea,” Gibbons told the donors, “but the important thing was getting (people) behind it because … we all love babies. I was never blessed with children of my own, so this is just great.” 

Gibbons also praised the work of WCC staff members. “(It’s) amazing work the girls do at the center. They are truly angels from God.”

In keeping with tradition, Chris Davis, president of Auction Ohio, was volunteer emcee for the event, calling out bingo numbers and encouraging attendees to donate. 

For more information on the Columbus Women’s Care Center locations or to donate, visit WomensCareCenter.org/Columbus-Ohio.