Pregnancy Care Center event will help fund renovations

On Saturday, Nov. 4, the Pregnancy Care Center will have a pancake breakfast fundraiser for its renovation, which will start in mid-November.

The event will be held in the Knights of Columbus building at 132 S. Buckeye St. in Wooster, and those who come will not only be able to eat pancakes, but also will be able to meet PCC’s mascot, Sprinkles the Cow. Presale tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door, and children age 8 and under eat for free. The event will be from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

The Pregnancy Care Center of Wayne County is a faith-based nonprofit that provides alternatives to abortion and is committed to saving lives physically, spiritually and emotionally. Its purpose is to engage, equip and empower women to make healthy pregnancy decisions.

Bekah Hilty, executive director of the PCC, said the group purchased its building at 331 W. Liberty St. in Wooster in 2020. At the time, half of the building was occupied as a hair salon, and PCC decided to renovate half of the space and lease the other space to the salon. Earlier this year, looking at the growth being experienced at the center, it was decided the PCC would take over the whole building.

“The rest of the new space will have a larger meeting room that will meet the need for our growing group classes and volunteer trainings,” Hilty said. “Many of our programs, like our parenting classes, are 100% volunteer led.

“And storage — we will have more storage. Currently, our ministry utilizes four different places, two of which are offsite, for storage. Our Baby Boutique is a critical piece supporting women in their pregnancies. Already through September of this year, we have passed out over 13,000 items in our Baby Boutique.”

Currently, the PCC building is about 3,300 square feet. The new space will double that size and is expected to be done in spring 2024. Most of the renovated building will be medical. Since last year the PCC has tripled the amount of medical staff and volunteers, and in 2023 its medical clinic will experience a 100% increase in patients.

The new space will allow for two larger exam rooms, which will each have their own private bathroom for clients. The exam rooms will allow for more support people for clients, and PCC is hoping to add an additional ultrasound machine for the second exam room so two ultrasounds can be done at one time.

In October the PCC held its 34th yearly banquet. Mark Schultz was the keynote speaker for the record-breaking banquet that raised over $250,000. Proceeds from the banquet will go toward the general operating cost of the center.

In an effort to better communicate with clients, the PCC now uses an online service using an IPAD that provides live translators in over 240 languages, plus sign language. Affectionately named Waldo and introduced as a member of the staff, it allows PCC workers to better help clients who do not speak English. The PCC also offers a 24/7 chat on its website for anyone who has questions about their pregnancy.

“Sprinkles, our mascot, will be there for the kids, and we have a few more surprises up our sleeve for anyone that comes,” Hilty said. “We are also going to be raffling off an IPAD PRO, a baby stroller, and a car seat and maybe a few more fun things.

“Our community has been so supportive of the work we do. Not everyone can give thousands of dollars towards a building renovation, but if they come, for only a few dollars they can come out and support the PCC, bring their kids and have fun.”