Board okays pro-life collection

By Bill Whatcott

The Toronto Catholic District School Board has decided to allow Aid to Women to distribute fundraising boxes within their schools this year, after terminating a similar arrangement with UNICEF, which has raised funds in this manner for years. Veteran Toronto pro-life activist and Interim columnist Frank Kennedy conceived the idea and spearheaded efforts to win the board's approval.

Campaign Life Coalition had been calling on schools to withdraw support for UNICEF, because of the agency's drift away from its original humanitarian mandate, toward support for contraception, sterilization, and abortion. When the Vatican suspended its annual symbolic donation to the UN agency because of this problem in 1996, the board followed suit. The project, planned for Halloween, was cancelled last year because of the Ontario-wide teachers' strike.

Those familiar with Aid to Women, which is located next door to Toronto's Cabbagetown abortuary, say that as far as compassionate, effective, frontline pro-life ministries go, one could not find a group much more effective or faithful to its mandate. For over a decade, the agency has reached out to thousands of mothers facing crisis pregnancies with material, financial, and moral support.

Hundreds saved

In one year alone, it was estimated Aid to Women saved 100 mothers and babies from abortion, through sidewalk and telephone counselling, and help during and after pregnancy. And this tally is only from mothers who returned to say that Aid to Women had made the difference. Only God knows how many others have been saved by the agency's work, but who, for whatever reason, have not contacted the agency after their initial encounter.

Many of the young women who use Aid to Women's confidential pregnancy tests also benefit from chastity counselling offered by the agency. Often hurt and abandoned by their boyfriends, they learn that chastity and self-respect are viable options. They hear that their sexuality is a gift from God to be saved for marriage. Only time will tell how many women will be spared the trauma of heartbreak, disease, and unwanted pregnancy through this aspect of Aid to Women's work. As with all good works, this one has its expenses. Rent must be paid every month, to the tune of $1,350. Also, many of the women who come to Aid to Women have serious practical needs that must be addressed. For instance, some women who have no health insurance need assistance with their medical bills to bring their babies to term. Others need assistance with rent or help finding affordable housing. Still others require help dealing with adoption services.

All of this is possible only with the assistance of generous donors throughout the pro-life community. Dieleman says, "The Halloween drive being conducted in the Metro separate schools will be a huge help in enabling us to continue our outreach to abortion-bound mothers who really want an alternative to abortion."

Robert Hinchey, a long time pro-life volunteer who has given up many of his business aspirations and has spent time in jail to save babies, was recently hired full-time to help manage the agency. For months he used his old rusty Volvo station wagon to pick up baby clothes and furniture for the mothers and babies they serve. In some cases he has driven mothers home, away from their appointments with death at the abortuary. Now the car is almost dead and will soon have to be replaced. This will be a major expense in the near future, and it's hoped members of the pro-life community will help out.

Aid to Women director Joanne Dieleman told The Interim she hopes to see 10,000 boxes distributed throughout the schools this year. She also said the project has the potential of raising thousands of dollars for the agency's work. Many volunteers are needed, however, to distribute the boxes to the schools by Oct. 24, and then to collect them and sort through their contents. Readers are encouraged to contact Joanne Dieleman, at (416) 921-6016, to offer their assistance.