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Spring 2015
IRTHRIGHT OF DUBUQUE
“It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.”
Volunteers, Board and YOU!
BY AMY HOUSELOG
Board Director
There are several factors that keep
Birthright of Dubuque open: Volunteers, a
committed Board, and You.
Our daughter and son-in-law had
their first baby in October; our first
grandson. He is a beautiful healthy baby.
However, her pregnancy was not without
trials.
Amy
Fortunately, she had a
supportive group of
friends to help her
through. Her boss even
drove her to the
emergency room one
evening and stayed
with her.
We are very grateful for these people
in her life. Knowing she had this support
meant an awful lot to my husband and
me.
During this time, I often thought of
the women who come to Birthright and of
our dedicated volunteers. Many of the
women who seek our assistance do not
have supportive family and/or friends.
They are alone.
Then they meet one of our loving
kind caring volunteers who listen to them,
support them and assist them through
this time in their life and a life is changed,
and hopefully a life is saved.
To me, this is Birthright.This is where
the Holy Spirit is working and touching
lives. If it was not for our
volunteers, who would be there for these
women?
If you or someone you know is
interested in being a volunteer please give
us a call, as we can always use more help.
Thank you to our newest board
members: Brian Powers, Jim Schmidt, and
Mary Anne Gau for giving of themselves to
Birthright.
We are in the process of examining
our finances, budgeting, and exploring our
advertising options to determine how we
can operate more efficiently. If this aspect
of Birthright is of interest to you, please
contact us by phoning the office.
Then there are our supporters: YOU!
Without your prayers and donations, we
could not keep a presence in Dubuque.
We are completely operated by
donations and volunteers. We have rent
and utilities to pay and we have our
International Convention in June for
training of our volunteers and board.
Advertising is also a large part of our
operating expenses. Every donation is
used for the operation of Birthright.
We are asking you to consider sending
us your generous donation today in
support of our No Bake Bake Sale.
Please keep us in your prayers, that
we may continue to trust in God, that we
continue to have committed loving people
volunteering in our office and on our board,
and that we continue to have generous
supporters.
Together, we can keep Birthright
strong and alive in Dubuque. Thank you!
Volunteer Spotlight:
Barb Freund and Joan Neuses
Our featured volunteers are two sisters,
Barb Freund and Joan Neuses.
In Barb’s words:
Being a volunteer at Birthright seems to
be the right ending for my years of
volunteering. I am the mother of six children, I
have 12 grandchildren, and now great grandchildren are starting to arrive. I have
always been against abortion.
I was proud to be a stay-at-home mom
until my youngest was nearly 16. I then
worked in the insurance department at The
Gannon Center for Community Mental Health
for 15 years and retired when I was 70.
I volunteered for my parish, took care of
the Iris beds at the Arboretum donated my
time in the visitor center. Since I’ve worked
alone there, Joan said she would work with
me. We have done this for a few years.
My connection to Birthright started when I
attended the Christmas parties with Joan, and
when I sat with her on Saturday mornings
when she volunteered there. After a while,
Joan suggested that I should join Birthright
since I was there anyway. And so I did!
I have found Birthright a very interesting
place to volunteer; especially helping those
who come in and are so appreciative of the
help we are able to give them. I truly hope
Birthright continues for many years to come.
In Joan’s words:
In the summer of 1993, we had a family
crisis. We prayed and prayed. I decided if I
wanted God to answer our prayers, I should
do something extra for Him.
I remembered hearing Betty Frommelt
(board member) speak at St. Anthony Church
about Birthright. I thought that was something
I could do. I called Betty and later talked to
(board member) Dolores Arnold.
In 1994, our family situation settled
somewhat, and I met with Sue Lukasik in the
office on Bluff Street. We did not have the
Joan
Barb
training sessions as we do now, but gradually I
learned things and began my volunteer service.
I have met and worked with the most loving
and dedicated women at Birthright. I have
attended quite a few workshops and two
international conventions.
A few years ago, my sister Barbara Freund
started coming to the office with me, and 4-5
years ago she officially became a Birthright
volunteer. Now we work together.
I treasure my time as volunteer at Birthright
and hope I can continue for more years to
come.
By the numbers
Mothers and babies helped
by Birthright of Dubuque in 2014
Pregnancy tests: 151
Clothing: 165
Diaper: 174
Formula: 28
Layettes: 58
A special note from the Birthright wish list:
We always appreciate gender-neutral (yellow
and green) baby clothes.
1125 Main St., Dubuque, IA 52001 • 563-556-1991• [email protected] • Spring 2015 • Page 2
DON’T MISS IT!
Birthright of Dubuque’s
th
16 Annual No-Bake Bake Sale
Save money:
Don’t by gas for your trip to the grocery
store.
Don’t purchase extra ingredients.
Don’t use kilowatts to heat your oven.
Don’t buy baked items.
Save your energy:
Don’t drive, shop, preheat, measure, sift,
stir, grease, flour, hide baked goods from your
family, keep children’s hands out of batter, or
drive to and from sale.
Instead….
Relax at home!
Bring a small amount of water to a boil.
Place your prettiest cup near your most
comfortable chair.
Place your purse or your checkbook near
the cup.
Pour yourself a cup of tea.
Remove your shoes.
Put your feet up.
Think warm and generous thoughts.
Insert the money you would have spent
on a real bake sale in the enclosed envelope.
Now…
Lean back. Close your eyes. Pray for
those who seek the services of Birthright.
Birthright of Dubuque
Board of Directors
Amy Houselog, Director
Brian Powers, Treasurer
Ann Cooper, Secretary/Newsletter
Mary Anne Gau
Susan Hughes
Linda Carbone-Nannenga
Jim Schmidt
Director of Volunteers
Angie Breitbach
Treat yourself to some peaceful time
alone, and feel good about helping an
important community service.
The donation will be used for maintaining
the operating and advertising expenses at
our Dubuque office.
Birthright believes that any pregnant
woman should have whatever help she may
need to carry her baby to term, and we pray
that through our efforts we may foster
respect for all human life.
Thank you for you generosity and for
your vote of confidence in Birthright.
And please…. Enjoy your cup of tea!
For the Unborn,
The Directors and Volunteers of
Birthright of Dubuque, Inc.
Donations help keep Birthright going!
Birthright was blessed with
these recent donations:
We received gifts in memory
of Jim Fabricus, Kevin Francis,
Vincent Hasken, Sister Mary Jo
Leifker, Bernard Lims, Bernice
Tischauser, Tom Schlueter, Father
Daniel Tranel.
Also, a friend made a
donation to honor of Linda and
Betty on their retirement, and we
received a gift in celebration of
Dola and Lavern Runde’s 60th
wedding anniversary.
Congratulations!
In addition, we thank the
Knights of Columbus for
donating many items collected at
several Dubuque churches. These
items are greatly appreciated by
our mothers.
Thanks to everyone who
includes Birthright in their
charitable donations!
Every dollar helps!
24 Hour Hotline: 800-550-4900 • www.birthright.org/dubuqueia.html • Spring 2015 • Page 3
Birthright of Dubuque
1125 Main St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID
DUBUQUE IA
PERMIT NO. 459
Office hours
Monday: 4-6 pm
Tuesday: noon-3 pm
Wednesday: 2-5 pm
Thursday: 9 am-3 pm
Friday: noon-3 pm
Saturday: 10 am-noon
563-556-1991
Brittney Mellema succeeds Terry Weaver
as Birthright’s USA National Director
Birthright International Board has
appointed Brittney Mellema, from Sioux Falls,
S.D., as U.S.A. National Director.
Brittney has led the Sioux Falls Birthright
Chapter for over 12 years. In 2008, she was
appointed Birthright's Regional Consultant for
North and South Dakota.
She now oversees 236 U.S. chapters.
Brittney succeeds Terry Weaver, who
retired after 46 years of dedicated Birthright
service, the last 23 years as national director.
Louise Summerhill, co-president of
Birthright International and daughter of the
founder, said, "I am confident that Brittney will
bring the same level of dedication and
enthusiasm to her new role as she has as a
Director and a Regional Consultant.“
In paying tribute to Terry, Louise said,
"We are losing an icon not only in Birthright
but in the U.S. pro-life movement. No
Present and former leaders: Brittney and Terry
words can express my gratitude to Terry. She
has been a true friend to my mother and me, a
tireless advocate for the unborn.”