Options Pregnancy Clinic holds annual banquet

Friends and supporters of Options Pregnancy Clinic filled the Great Hall at the Chateau on the Lake recently for the organization’s annual banquet, a special time of celebration of lives saved and changed over the past year and commitment to funding support for the coming year.

The spirit of giving and community around the area was evident as elected officials, community and business leaders, faith and nonprofit leaders, and many other friends and volunteers enjoyed a delicious dinner and heard exciting testimonies. Following a welcome by emcee and Options Advisory Council member Jason Robinson, Options Board President Marty Whited and Executive Director Laura Fogle introduced other staff and board members and recognized the many volunteers who help the Branson and Forsyth locations provide valuable services for moms and dads in unexpected pregnancy circumstances, with their babies.

Options is in their 32nd year of providing services; so far in 2025, 149 babies have been born, including three sets of twins, with 83 more due during the remainder of 2025 and early 2026. In addition, over 2,000 students in schools across Taney and Stone County receive valuable abstinence education and health education through Options during the school year. Options also partners with other area nonprofits through referrals to help parents improve their lives through education and community resources.

Options Clinic offers free, confidential consultations; ultrasound services and limited screening services with medical referrals; adoption referrals; abortion pill reversal; valuable parent education and mentoring through Options Prep U and Dad Prep U; and assistance with supplies and essentials with support continuing for the baby’s entire first year of life. As part of the banquet festivities, attendees saw videos featuring client families now enjoying a happy, healthy life with their child.

One testimonial referred to an anonymous Spanish speaking mother, and featured the clinic’s new Bilingual Client Services Assistant, who described how the young, Hispanic mother had come to Options looking for an abortion. The mother was worried because she didn’t have any family around to help support her, and she was worried about what her family and the father’s family would think. After meeting with someone who could communicate with her all the ways that Options would help her for almost two years, she chose life for her baby, and continues to come to the clinic regularly. She even stated that her mentor is like her own mother now, walking with her through her pregnancy. What a wonderful and uplifting example of how Options is working to strengthen our community.

Warren (Photo submitted)

Featured guest speaker for the evening was Roland Warren, author of several books on fatherhood and pro-life Christian values, and also the CEO of Care Net, which is a pro abundant life organization offering support and resources to 12,000-plus pregnancy centers across the nation. While sharing stories about his own life’s journey with his wife, Dr. Yvette Lopez-Warren, and their children and grandchildren, Warren also challenged those gathered by outlining the biblical principles for the church and community to disciple and support the widow and the orphan, while also highlighting the importance of fatherhood in healthy family life. You can find more about Warren and Care Net at care-net.org.

Wrapping up the evening, attendees were given the opportunity to give a one-time gift or commit to a regular monthly donation to help Options Clinic continue serving clients in Branson at 192 Expressway Lane, Suite 100; and in Forsyth at 10726 E. St. Hwy. 76, Suite F. If you missed the banquet, visit friendsofoptions.com to learn how you can help. There are also opportunities for businesses and individuals to help underwrite the annual banquet at various gift levels or help with other special events throughout the year. Who can possibly know the potential of each precious life that is saved!