Written by Elliot Coombes // Graphic by Ben Evans
Students for Life, a humanitarian group of Harding students, held a local baby supply drive last week on campus. Their goal is to spread awareness and help serve both the local community and volunteer organizations, and they have the connections to make that difference.
Boxes were placed in three heavily trafficked spots on campus from Oct. 2 to 5 and were collected on the Friday of fall break. Students were encouraged to donate diapers, clothing, soap, and other nonperishables to women with unplanned pregnancies. These boxes go to Embrace Grace, a nonprofit organization that helps single mothers with unplanned pregnancies. Supplies will go toward free baby showers for the women, as well as weekly donations afterward to comfort them and incentivize them to keep coming back.
Amy Dutton, the leader for the Searcy division of Embrace Grace, explained this approach.
“We minister usually to scared young girls,” Dutton said. “We want them to feel loved and supported. Being single and pregnant is a season of life, but it doesn’t have to define their future. We help them see themselves through God’s eyes and know his love.”
After the shower, the girls move on and go to Embrace Life, a second group for single mothers with a newborn child.
Caleb Johnson, the organization president, made it clear the students’ efforts are not limited to abortion. The club goal for this year has been to relieve and publicize the issues of abortion, human trafficking, and suicide.
“Today there are more people enslaved than any other time in history,” Johnson said. “And suicide is a big unseen pandemic. In our age demographic, it’s one if the top three killers, and nobody talks about it.”
The group intends to hold another event in November and even more events next semester, including another drive. Johnson said he wants the drive to receive more active participation.
“Next semester, if we do the drive again, we’ll try to push awareness for it more,” he said.
The group has received a hand from Jesse Shelton, an organizer for the larger White County “Right for Life” organization. Shelton has partnered with the Searcy-based company Athlete’s Choice to supply the club with promotional shirts.
“[The shirts] are a common denominator of Arkansas’ pro-life movement,” Shelton said. “When people see the shirt that says, ‘choose life’, it will hopefully start up some conversation.”
The Students for Life anticipate an additional effort on Oct. 17, which is National Chalk Day.
