Crisis Pregnancy Center preps for annual fundraiser at restaurants

The Crisis Pregnancy Center’s annual fundraiser comes at a different time this go around but they haven’t missed a year.

CPC Executive Director Pauline Karcher said this is the 12th year they have held the event. She knows from how many shirts she has from past events. 

“We are hoping for a great night for the center and a great night for the restaurants,” Karcher said.

Every year the center assembles teams of volunteers who work a night at several local restaurants. Usually, they work as servers but Carol Kilpatrick said they will do whatever needs to be done including washing dishes. The tips collected by CPC volunteers go to the center. 

The event is usually tied to Valentine's Day date night but had to be pushed back this year. Organizers decided Mother’s Day would be an appropriate occasion to move their event to.

Karcher said the center usually raises between $15,000 and $20,000 over the course of the evening.

The fundraiser will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 6, at five local restaurants — Bloomo Diner, City Limits, Laredo Grill, McAlister’s Deli and Ronnie’s Steak N Grill.

Kilpatrick is currently a CPC board member but has been involved with the organization for much of its 30-year history. She has not missed a fundraiser since it started.

“It has been very successful,” Kilpatrick said. “I know for a lot of restaurants Thursday can be a slow night so we usually bring some extra people in. It is a good cooperation.”

This year Kilpatrick will lead the team at McAlister’s Deli. Her team has been together for a while and includes Pastor Wayne Hill of Beacon Street Baptist Church and Pastor Jeff Brewer of East Philadelphia Baptist.

An aspect of the event Kilpatrick said she looks forward to every year is the friendly competitive spirit that has sprouted up around the event. For example, teams try to out-earn other teams, restaurants try to outdo their competitors and churches try to send the most diners out to eat. Kilpatrick said the competition brings a high sense of energy to the evening.

“It is always hectic, but it is such a good night,” Kilpatrick said.

The center is entirely funded by local churches and this one yearly fundraiser.

“I think something that makes this group really remarkable is that we are almost entirely church funded and are supported by local churches of many denominations,” Karcher said.

The CPC has a far-ranging mission. Kilpatrick said women and families from surrounding counties routinely attend their classes and inquire about their services.

“We really want to encourage people to come out because this is a great ministry that helps people in our county and the surrounding counties,” Kilpatrick said.

To contact the CPC call 601-656-9712.