Celebrates 10th anniversary
By Sarah Whitman
Senior Staff Writer
For 10 years the Zephyrhills Pregnancy Center has helped women and families through life’s most difficult times.
Robin Kohler came to the center three years ago pregnant with her daughter, Nevaeh, now 2 years old.
“I was having medical complications and the doctors suggested an abortion,” Kohler said. “The volunteers at the pregnancy center gave me guidance and were there for me to talk to. They helped me make the decision to have my daughter and I’m so glad I did because she was born without anything wrong with her.”
When the center opened in 2000, as a ministry of First Baptist Church of Zephyrhills, the idea was to counsel pregnant women on options other than abortion. Through the years, its mission has broadened to include family education and support services.
“We have seen some families through two or three pregnancies and our services don’t end when a baby is born,” said Terry Luna, center director.
The pregnancy center, now an independent nonprofit organization, offers services ranging from parenting classes to GED tutoring. More than 250 new clients have been helped in the last year, ranging from teens to 40-year-olds.
Moms and dads can take advantage of the programs for as long as they’d like.
“We are always here to help,” Luna said. “I had a woman come in recently that we’d helped six or seven years ago. She was having problems at home and needed a place to turn. She remembered us.”
Luna is one of the pregnancy center’s founders and its only paid employee. She relies on volunteers to keep the organization running. Currently, there are 10 to 12 regular volunteers.
Sami Sykes has been a part of the group since the beginning. The Zephyrhills resident is a former foster parent and counselor for runaways. She has seen many lives changed at the pregnancy center.
“It’s very rewarding to watch the families you’ve helped grow mentally and spiritually,” Sykes said. “We don’t just give people things to help them, we become a part of their lives.”
Three weeks before Nevaeh’s birth, Kohler’s husband passed away. Volunteers from the center stood by her side.
“They were very supportive,” Kohler said. “Some volunteers even came out and painted my house. They really do go above and beyond. I don’t have family, but they’ve become like family.”
Kohler attends the center’s weekly Tuesday afternoon Bible Study. The study includes lunch and is open to moms and dads. It is a Christian outreach but is not affiliated with a particular church. Churches throughout Zephyrhills volunteer time and support to the center.
When clients become involved with center programs, they earn points to take home free baby items.
“They have everything you could possibly need,” Kohler said.
Luna said the center relies heavily on donations to fill its baby store. Financial gifts are also accepted.
“The community has been so generous,” she said. “We are entirely nonprofit so donations are the reason we’ve been able to stay open. ”
The center will celebrate its anniversary beginning with a BBQ dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 30. Families are invited to pick up a take-out dinner for $6.50. Volunteers will cook up a meal that includes chicken, baked beans, potato salad, a roll and dessert. Families can also participate in a bowling tournament fundraiser beginning at 3 p.m. May 1 at Pin Chasers. The cost is $10 per person and includes three games, pizza and soda. Children can play too.
To close out the celebration festivities, the pregnancy center will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. May 2. Anyone in need of service or interested in volunteering can stop by for a tour. The center is located at 38021 8th Ave. For information, call (813) 780-6885.
