Fall 26
2026 BANQUET SPONSORS 3 Sisters Logistics Adams Funeral Chapel Adams Memorials All-American Realty Homes & Land Altadonna Private Wealth Group Andy's Landscape & Lawn B&T Drainage, Inc. Bells of St. Mary’s Catholic Church - Marshall Brent & Kathy Holmes Casey State Bank Castle Finn Winery County Office Products CS Communications Diligent Hands DJ Rowe, Inc. Doehring, Winders & Co. LLP, CPA's Donnie & Jane Rowe Ed & Rosie Schniers First Christian Church of Villa Grove Helping Hands of St. Mary’s Catholic Church—Marshall Holey Moley Donuts Immaculate Conception Church In Memory of Fr. John Sohm, St. Columcille Catholic Church In Memory of Chris Bugle & Pam Harmon James Nestleroad JNR Hobbies, LLC Johnson's Automotive Service, Inc. Lions Gate Apartments Keith & Amy Summers Listening Ear Ministries Marc & Anita Weismantel Mikasa Mattoon Knights of Columbus McDowell Construction Melissa Harden at Studio 21 Merele Norman Cosmetics Milk & Honey Coffee House Mill Creek Aggregates Overton Tree Farm Paap Printing Seven Weeks Coffee Silver Spoons Hits the Spot Ice Cream, Resale & Arcade Siteworx Trucking, LLC St. Mary's Catholic Church - Marshall Steve & Robin Hettinger Swan’s Landing Tiffany Ehlers, Norwex Independent Consultant Truth & Grace Fellowship … AND Several Anonymous Donors Fall 2026
Fundraising Dinner 2026 A beautiful venue, a fantastic speaker, Niemerg’s catering and 300 expectant guests and we had all the components for one of the very best fundraisers in our history! That is just what it turned out to be! Dave McCroskey shared a powerful heartfelt message. He wove both humor and heart together beautifully as he shared part of his story and challenged us to stand in the gap, to extend a little extra help and encouragement for those served by Choices. We also heard testimonies from two women who received services at Choices. They shared how Choices helped them in the midst of difficult circumstance. They are both so courageous and amazing mothers! We know you are eager to hear about the final giving outcome…. we have received is $80,226.06, had $21,108.00 pledged over the coming year and have received a few additional gifts after the banquet for a grand total of $103,584.06! All the glory goes to our awesome God! We are grateful to all of you who chose to partner with us as we reach out to offer the Truth in Love to each person that walks in.
Special thank you to Melissa Harden of Studio 21 for donating her time and talents to “capture” the night! PAGE 1
Just as the seasons come and go, so do the seasons in lives of the families we serve. We recently had the privilege of walking along side Amber in the middle of a hard season. Her husband Aaron’s job required him to be away – leaving Amber to hold things together until he’s able to transition into a new position. Though it was temporary, it was hard to juggle everything through a long-distance relationship with a new baby. During this season, Amber reached out to us for support. She has faithfully participated in our parenting program and worked hard to provide the best possible future for herself and her baby. We've been honored to come alongside her, with encouragement, support, and a place where she knows she isn't alone. We got to celebrate the season of distance ending and their transition into a new season that they'd been working and waiting for with her. She has been strong, faithful, and determined, but now the waiting is over and God has answered her prayers and is reuniting their family. We can only imagine the joy of that first moment when her child gets to see daddy’s face, not through a phone screen, but right there in his arms. We are reminded once again that every mama who walks through our doors has a story, a purpose, and a future worth investing in. We'll continue praying for this family as they begin this beautiful new chapter together. ~Dawn I’ve been working with a sweet mama for about a year now. We’ve talked a lot about life and the choices she’s making and how she wants to raise her child. She kept telling saying, “I want different than what I had growing up and I think I want my baby raised in church.” One day I had the opportunity to ask her what qualities does she want to instill in her child’s life. Ava said she wanted her child to be kind and loving. I shared about the Fruit of the Spirit and developing those qualities. She shook her head and was in full agreement, because she “believed in God.” Ava told me believing in Him was enough. The Holy Spirit prompted my heart and I gently challenged her by saying “believing and surrendering your life to Christ are different.” She paused and looked at me then said “WOW, my mind is just blown, I never thought of it in that way.” I’m praying that little seed planted grows and she fully surrenders to His Majesty! PS: I will be moving into the Director of Administration position. I’m not leaving the ministry, just moving into the Director of Administration position. 😊 ~Cali Brittney’s abuse started at the age of 13. By the time her abuse was reported, she was 14 and pregnant by her abuser. Brittney was removed from her home and place with someone that she trusted. Brittney had no idea what it meant to be pregnant. She didn’t have access to the internet or a phone. No one helped her understand or educated her. One day the person Brittney trusted took to her to what looked like a doctor’s office, but it was actually an abortion clinic. It didn’t take Brittney long to figure out that they were trying to hurt the baby and she tried to get away. Sadly, she wasn’t able to – Brittney was drugged and forced to have an abortion. This has caused her years of mental health issues and even suicidal attempts. A few years later, Brittney was once again pregnant. This time – she found Choices! Here at Choices, she has found love and acceptance like she has never known. She is working on building a trusting relationship with the Lord and preparing to be the best mama to her new infant. Please keep praying for Brittney, because He is the only one who can truly heal Brittney’s heart from the pain of the abortion that was forced on her. ~Tammy When we talk to our clients the general feedback is that they feel heard and loved. When Beth came into the office she had already taken a pregnancy test and knew that it was positive. Beth knew that she wanted to keep her baby but at the same time knew that she would be raising the baby by herself. After talking about our Earn While You Learn program and reassuring Beth that we would be by her side through her pregnancy she seemed more at ease. Beth said that she was so thankful that she was given the number for Choices from a friend and that she knew parenting alone would be hard but that she also knew that she could do the hard things with the support of the women at Choices. We are so thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside Beth & other women as they strive to be the best parents they can be. ~Janice All client names have been changed for confidentiality
Fall 2026
DID YOU KNOW? • A national survey shows 90% of High School seniors desire a healthy future marriage and family. But are they being taught how to prepare for it? Is marriage taught as a future goal worth striving for? • Research indicates that teens who avoid sexual activity are half as likely to be expelled from school, half as likely to drop out of school, and twice as likely to be attending or to graduate college. • CDC Data show that most students (29%) are NOT currently sexually active. In fact, teen sexual activity has been on a continual downward trend for the past 10 years. Let’s encourage our area youth to continue to make the safest, healthiest choices with Sexual Risk Avoidance Education that provides a clear path forward for their future success. Help me connect to our area educators and parents by letting them know that this positive message is available! Thank you for being a partner. ~LeAnn PAGE 2
Choices Bits & Pieces
Things to think about, pray about, and give thanks to the Father!
Honoring Chris Bugle In June, our beloved Executive Director for the past 36 years, Chris Bugle, went to her heavenly home. While we all are still mourning the loss of her physical presence here with us, we are thankful for the years she served, the lives she touched and all the countless ways she poured into the ministry. Chris kept her eyes on Jesus always looking for ways to serve others and let them know they are loved by our Savior. Her steadfast spirit calmed, counseled and called others up towards the Father in so many ways! There aren’t adequate words do her legacy justice, so we honor her by continuing the mission by the example she set forth. She always said this ministry was Jesus’ heart—defending the unborn, loving people right where they are and pointing them to the Father. So, what comes next? We faithfully continue on serving! Veronica has taken the role of Executive Director – she was handpicked by God and trained by Chris to bring us through the next phase of ministry. Please continue to pray for her as she has stepped into this new role. Please also pray for our team & Chris’ family. Thank you for partnering with us to continue serving others as Chris served the Lord for nearly 40 years!
ATTENTION WE’RE HIRING!!! We’re praying to fill 2 open positions in Charleston! - Client Services Director - Financial Assistant (part-time)
If He is calling you – call us!
217.345.8000
Hitting the Road! Our nurses, Kendra & Nicole will be hitting the road in our Mobile Medical Unit in October - hopefully before this newsletter makes it to your mailbox! It has been a long journey through prayer, but God remains faithful as always! We are excited to be able to take our medical services to clients - right where they are. This will eliminate transportation barriers, and will allow us to meet more women in the critical decision-making time. We have a few "parking spots" planned, and we are working on scheduling specific locations. Please continue to pray as we take our medical services to our satellite offices and to the campuses of EIU & LLC! Fall 2026
Mattoon Building Update Painting
Flooring
Moving
We’re almost there! Finalizing details, those finishing touches… it takes a lot of people & a lot of details to renovate a building! We’re so thankful to all of the volunteers who have put MANY hours into making our new Mattoon building beautiful!
Gifts Given
In Memory of: Chris Bugle Karen Easton Pam Harmon Fr. Joe Ring Evelyn Perkins In Honor of: Cathy Cearlock Slover
Time to start thinking about CHRISTMAS?! Follow our Partner’s Facebook Page @partnersofcph for details on helping move & our Open House Event!
Baby Bottle Update We are in awe of how God has provided through our Baby Bottle Campaign this year… AND God isn’t finished yet! This year has been our largest collection with almost $70,000 turned in! Thank you for your generous partnership and investing in our client’s lives!
Many clients don’t receive a gift just for them. We want each client to know they are loved by the Father & our Choices Family. Each year we bless our clients with a little gift bag full of goodies just for them. If your church or group would like to be take part in making gifts or donating items, please contact your local center for all the details! Coming in November – our Reverse Advent Calendar! A fun way to give and meet the needs of our clients! PAGE 3
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Scarlett “Being a first- time mom, Choices has helped me so much on understanding each stage from the beginning of pregnancy to birth and to having an almost toddler. I’ve learned so many new things. I loved having this experience with such great people! Being a mom is one of the best things in life!” ~Dara
Zyan
Jude Wrapped in the Father’s Love! Ryleigh
Elijah
Finn An anonymous donor gave diapers, wipes, laundry soap & dish soap. They said they cannot help with a lot, but if a client has to choose between diapers or keeping her lights on, they can help with providing extra diapers. Thank you!
Westyn KOZ Boys at Casey First Baptist held a much-needed yard work day at the Casey office! So thankful for all their help!
The Sisters in Faith Group from First United Methodist in Marshall came together to change out the seasons in our Casey Baby Shop. If you attended the Casey Popcorn parade, you saw us there! We love visiting our communities and participating in community events! Look for us at EIU’s Homecoming Parade on Saturday Oct. 24th!
Sweet donation from St. John’s in Mattoon!
June 2026 CPH Volunteer & Family Picnic Baby Bottle Donation from Crossroads Community Church! Thank you so much for supporting CPH!
Fall 2026
Breck
Christ First Church held a donation drive during their Baby Bottle Campaign
Grateful A plethora of diaper bags from Neoga Christian Church! These are always a need for our clients and their children, thank you for meeting that need!
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