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Birthright of Fargo-Moorhead, Inc. 715 11 St. No. Suite 103C
Moorhead, MN
BIRTHRIGHT NEWS Vol. 43 Issue 2 August 2018
Work has already begun for Giving Hearts Day 2019 on February
14th, Valentine’s Day. Many of the charities who participate have
full-time staff members taking the lead, but so far we have relied
totally on our Board. Members. If you would be willing to be a part
of our Giving Hearts Day Committee, you will be sharing in the fun,
excitement and satisfaction of helping Birthright enormously.
Participation in this amazing experience has truly been a blessing
for us. Please contact our office for more information.
Grandmas and Grandpas: We Salute Them All
When I first heard of Grandparents Day, I assumed it was some
type of promotion from Hallmark to increase the sale of greeting
cards. I didn’t live close to the three grandparents I had when I
was a child, and they had many grandchildren seeking their
attention. I hardly knew them. My attitude changed dramatically
twelve years ago at the birth of our first grand-child and
continues as two more grandchildren have been added to our family.
For my husband and me, they are truly the “lights of our lives.”
Grandpa teaches them to fish, to build bird houses and how to play
poker. I help them bake, advise them on what they read and teach a
little French. We have read enough books together to found a
library. We have travelled together, played and watched sports with
them, and celebrated Grandparents Day annually at Holy Name of
Jesus School. And then we say goodbye and go home, or they do. Time
to rest up for our next visit. As Grandparents Day nears, we like
to recognize our many donors and volunteers who have grandchildren,
but especially we honor the grandparents who come to us as the
primary caregivers of their grandchildren. Some of the mothers of
these little ones are incarcerated, some are in addiction
treatment, and some are just out of the picture. Some of these
grandparents are living on tight budgets, have their own health
issues, and have a little less energy and stamina, as most older
people experience. We do provide diapers, clothing and other baby
items to these grandparents who are taking on a challenging and
demanding role. They strive to do the best they can for their
grandchildren, often under some very difficult circumstances. At
Birthright, we use the phrase “We love them both”, meaning mother
and baby. Perhaps it is more accurate to say “We love them all” -
including the grandmas and grandpas who have stepped up to care for
the little ones who need the special love their grandparents have
for them.
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Board of Directors Cathy Schwinden, President Vicki Haugen,
Secretary LaVerne Seefeld, Treasurer Marian Greenwood Birthright
News is published 3 times yearly by Birthright of Fargo-Moorhead,
Inc. Editor: Cathy Schwinden National Website: www.birthright.org
Local Website: www.birthrightfm.org Birthright provides free and
confidential help to anyone regardless of age, race, creed, marital
status. Birthright of Fargo-Moorhead is a 501 C (3) organization;
all contributions are tax deductible. 715 11 St. North Suite 103 C
Moorhead, MN 56560 218-477-1977 1-800-550-4900 E-mail us at:
[email protected]
Office Needs
Girls clothing – sizes 6-24 months/2T
Books suitable for a
toddler to hold and books to be read to
babies and toddlers
Volunteers to distribute the many helpful items we can supply.
Your gift of
time would be greatly appreciated.
Birthright Remembers Jim Kertz
669—The number of requests for help we received in our office,
with 511 clients aged 27 and over. 605—The number of people
receiving diapers. There are few groups in our community that help
with diapers, which continue to be a basic need. 499—The number of
referrals we received from WIC (government program providing food
for women, infants and children) and from other agencies. We
encourage breast feeding, but often our clients come to us at a
time when it isn’t possible. 62—Layettes given to newborns. 308—
Requests for infant and toddler clothing. As we well know, bringing
a baby into the world is just the beginning. Those newborns keep
growing! These statistics remind us how important it is to be able
to offer continuing support to struggling families during those
crucial first years.
What the Numbers Tell Us: January through July
How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on
the human and religious heritage which is so essential for each and
every society.
Pope Francis
A Farewell Message from Helaine
“Thank you all for the opportunity to serve at Birthright. So
many Moms and Dads are so grateful for the love and support the
volunteers at Birthright give to them. I met many beautiful people.
Many times I found myself wondering how they managed from day to
day. Birthright provides a great service to them. I sincerely hope
you will find several more volunteers to offer their services at
Birthright.” Helaine Arnold
We thank Helaine for her six years of loving service to our
Birthright family.
James Kertz, 81, died on April 8th, 2018, in Fargo. A loving
father of five and grandfather of 10, he was described by his
family and many friends as a man of quiet faith, humility, loyalty
and compassion. He was a benefactor to many, and we at Birthright
have been blessed by his generosity. We have also been blessed by
his wife, Liz, who preceded him in death in 2007.
Liz and Jim’s love of their family extended to caring deeply for
families in need. In remembering Birthright in their estate plans,
many families will be blessed.
mailto:[email protected]
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In Loving Memory
In Memoriam: Donated by: Gertrude Smith……………….. Marian &
George Greenwood Tom & Jean Picard Joe Richards…………………… Jim
& Phil Nelson Ralph & Ann Schellack Loren & Yvonne Lee
Don & Liz Gilbertson Jim & Micky Schneider Tom
Matejka…………Jim & Phil Nelson Mark Strege…………………. Steve &
Cindy Strege Bob & Rose Gifford Julia Sullivan ………Jim &
Micky Schneider Geraldine Kuntz……Tony & Karel Varriano Ernest
& Mary Lies; Neil Lies; Vincent & Lillie Hartl; Renee
Geske; Patty Wagner; Lorraine Barry; Rita Hartl; Eric Schaefer;
Mary Goodin; Terry Lies………………………….. Wilfred & Linda Lies Ruth
Lee………………….Dean & Pat Kvidt Larry Rudek………………Ken & Arlene
Highness Diane Schuman; James Litch……………. Judeen & Pat Kvidt
Beverly Perreault; Jo Kluch; Ruth Pasch; Nettie Krabbenhoft; Eileen
Thompson; Mary Ann Thompson……………….Donald & Joyce Biewer Beverly
Perreault; Donald Wold…………….. Roger & Shirley Adrian Roger
Smart; Lorraine Barry………………… Jim & Micky Schneider Kathleen
Berneking………….Donna Young Don Richards……………………Sharon Richards Pat
Schmitt; Marlys Hellem; Howard Nelson; Don Gervais; Ann
Windus…….…………..
.Jim & Phil Nelson Howard Nelson…………….Ken & Arlene
Highness Patricia Schmidt; Ann Windus…………………… Ralph & Ann
Schellack Ellen Honek; Ann Windus………………………….. Jack & Edie
Kritzberger Lee Adrian; Ruth Meyer………………………. Roger & Janna
Cayler Ellen Honek……………………..Priscilla Bolger
Mother’s Day Memorials Memorial Marian Botz……….Karen Vosika
Memorial Hazel Fleisher………………..
George & Marian Greenwood Memorial Delores Kraft……..Paul
& Judy Teiken Memorial for moms – Fern & Betty………….. Peter
& Kathy Erickson Memorial Evelyn Audette…………….. Roger &
Janna Cayler Memorial all Mothers ………………………. St Andrews Church,
Hawley Memorial Hazel Wilk & Elise Picard……….. Tom & Jean
Picard Memorials Mary Hill; Mary Hilgendorf; Agnes Lawrence;
Dorothy Lawrence……………… Mary Helen Lawrence
Honors/Memorials/Tributes In Honor 80th Birthday of……..Ginny
Kelsh By: Rosemary Thomas In Honor 80th Birthday of…Margaret Bitz
By: Helaine Arnold Retirement Honor for…Judge Steven Cahill By: Jim
& Phil Nelson Honor to Newly Ordained: ….Fr Nate Brunn By: Jim
& Phil Nelson By: Loren & Yvonne Lee By: Jack & Edie
Kritzberger By: Everett & Rosalie Martin Honor of: Deacon
Michael Arey; Rollie & Pat Lackman; Fr Don Braukmann;……….. By:
Jack & Edie Kritzberger In Honor 60th Anniversary of………Russ
& Val Krause; Howard & Teresa Murray………… By: Jack &
Edie Kritzberger In Honor 60th Anniversary -Paul & Marvel Pryor
By: Loren & Yvonne Lee Tribute and Honor for service at St
Joe’s Parish to: Fr Bryan Kujawa……………………………… By: Sharon Richards
By: Everett & Rosalie Martin By: Lowell & Priscilla
Bolger
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Cash Donations Shirley LaBine Keith & Bea Kroke Rayetta
& Kenneth Senn David & Pamela Olson Joan & Norman
Rheault Mark Kasson Ann Lucy Mae Bradbury Bev Miranowski Helen
Schatz Edie Beste Anonymous Lillian Meyer Gerry Cariveau Scott
& Maureen Koob Hornbacher’s for Brat Days we worked
Group Donations Nativity Church, Fargo Griggs County Right to
Life Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen
In-Kind Donations Items given are many and varied and beautiful.
Too numerous to mention; including any item a
baby needs. New and gently used Items are used for our hospital
layettes and clients who visit us for supplies. We are most
appreciative and thankful.
Rosemary Thomas Jack & Edie Kritzberger Brianna Zeis Mert
Engelhardt Becky Anderson Linus Project – Norene LaVerne Seefeld
Jan Spaeth Peggy Nathan Terese Warne Mary Iverson Heather Moen
Shirley Bjerken Kayla Dewey
In-Kind Donations (cont’d) Lois Bachynski, St Ansgar WELCA,
LaMoure, ND Kathi Bates, St Olaf Mission Group, Elbow Lake St
Francis Catholic Church, Moorhead,
Myrna Rivard Catholic Daughters of America, St Anthony
Church, Fargo Nguyen; Emily; Jennifer; Crystal; Belinda;
Rozhgar; MeiLi; Jennifer; and more Anonymous
Estate Donation James Kertz Estate Report months April, May,
June, & July 2018
Adams Adrian Amundson
Anda Anderson
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Arnold Ausk Barry Beaudoin Beiswenger
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Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service, founded in 1968 in
Toronto, Canada, by Mrs. Louise Summerhill, whose personal response
to the despair of a pregnant woman led to the establishment of
Birthright.
“It is the right of every pregnant woman
to give birth, and the right of every child to be born.”
Our Guiding Principle
Mailing Preference If you would like to receive our newsletter
by email, or prefer to be removed from our mailing list, please
contact our office.
Special Thanks to...
Prayer of Gratitude
O Creator Awaken my heart
to the miracle of life that surrounds me;
the beauty of friendship, family and community;
and the knowledge that I am forever held
in Your love.
May I always remember to seek Your grace
in unexpected places, filling me with
joy and gratitude for Your abundant blessings,
as I open myself to the Charity of Christ.
Courtesy of the
Sisters of Charity, New York
I would like to give a Grandparents Day gift of $________
to Birthright of Fargo-Moorhead
to honor beloved grandparents and elders.
In Memory of ___________________________
As a tribute to__________________________
Address_________________________
Your name____________________________
Your address_____________________________
Birthright will send a Grandparents Day card
to those you have listed informing them of your gift.
Please make sure we receive your check by September 4th.
All gifts will be recognized in the Birthright Newsletter.
Our Hornbachers Grillers
At Northport: Judy Vanyo George Greenwood Sharon Adams Barb
Stenberg Bobbie McGarvey Carol Grindberg Sharon Fowler Helaine
Arnold Becky Anderson
At Village West: George Greenwood Sharon Adams Dillon Adams
Teresa Adams Helaine Arnold
Shirley Kondelis Annette LaPalm Anna Welder Jerry Jernberg
Marilyn Proulx JoAnn Peterson Pat Webb LaVerne Seefeld Cathy
Schwinden Melissa Mehlisch Dale Zetocha Judy Vanyo Pat Webb Cathy
Schwinden
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“It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth. . . and
the right of every child to be born.”
Grandparents Day is September 9th
Young people need something stable to hold on to—
a culture connection, a sense of their own past,
a hope for their own future.
Most of all, they need what grandparents can give them.
Jay Kesler
birthright newsletter August 2018 final draft.pdfIn Loving
MemoryAprilMayJuneJuly 2018In Loving MemoryAprilMayJuneJuly
2018.pdfbirthright newsletter August 2018 final draft
