Walk for Life

Darla Loenhorst, 12, is happy after she won a five-feet tall Teddy Bear during Walk for Life.

YUCAIPA - Without this major event, some pregnant women and girls, and their babies would be left to struggle on their own.

People walking in groups, moms pushing strollers, laughing children jogging and jostling each other, couples strolling with their dogs on leashes, and even two young men carrying a Cross, circled the track at Yucaipa High School Stadium on Sunday - lap after lap.

And all for a good cause: to raise money for the Yucaipa Valley Pregnancy Counseling Center through its annual "Walk for Life."

"This is our major fundraiser," said Linda Brown, Director of the center. "We're having a good turnout, better than last year. People are giving what they can. They're saying that they love and support what we do."

And without the money the Walk for Life raises, the center would have a difficult time providing the support that pregnant women and girls need in the way of counseling and baby's goods for their newborns.

Some of the YVPCC many services include:

• Free pregnancy testing


• Maternity clothes


• Baby clothes


• Baby furniture, as available


• Information/referral for state aid medical assistance


• Adoption information and referrals


• Post-adoption counseling

Just how important is Walk for Life? "Last September we saw 40 girls at the counseling center," Brown said. "This September we saw 91 girls."

On hand was Yucaipa Mayor, Dick Riddell, who seldom misses the event. "The Yucaipa Valley Pregnancy Counseling Center does a real good job," said Riddell. "It's for the children, and to protect the unborn who are in greatest need of our protection. And they counsel those who chose to have an abortion."

The stadium rocked with music and the laughter of children and adults playing games and raffling for prizes. Face painting, bowling, ring tosses, bunco, and Winnie the Pooh jumper kept youngsters busy - and happy. And even the dad's and their sons and daughters played a little football.

After little six-year-old Seth Punongbayan caught a pass from his dad, Gerry, he jumped up and down in celebration. Father and son were having a great time playing on the smooth, green, soft carpet of the stadium's football field.

"This is our third time at Walk for Life," said Gerry Punongbayan. "What they do is so much needed. They offer so much to those teens who become pregnant not knowing what to do. And they offer the comfort to those who have gone through abortion. They are very accepting - an open arms organization."

To learn more about the Yucaipa Valley Pregnancy Counseling Center visit www.yvpcc.com. Or call (909) 797-6797.