RIPLEY- The Board of Directors of SAV-A-LIFE Pregnancy Testing Center of Ripley met this week at the new Center building to welcome three new board members and to make plans for the annual banquet in September.

According to Center Development Director Terri Stanford, "The staff and board members of SAV-A-LIFE are planning its best banquet yet. The annual event is set for September 9, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center Building at 6:30 p.m."

Stanford said the featured speaker is Rebecca St. James, a multiple Dove and Grammy award-winning Christian singer, songwriter musician, author, actor, and outspoken teenage sexual abstinence and pro-life advocate.

"Her latest project is the movie, '"Sarah's Choice," in which she stars as an unwed mother choosing to make the right choice for her unborn child," Stanford added. For more information on Rebecca St. James see her website www.rsjames.com.

New board members announced this week include Bro. Jerry Bingham of Ripley, Anthony Mitchell of Ashland, and Vicki Skinner of Walnut.

The SAV-A-LIFE Pregnancy Testing center is a non-profit agency offering compassionate support, accurate information, and positive alternatives to anyone facing an unwanted pregnancy.

The pregnancy testing is free in a supportive environment and offers confidential counseling. The Center is supported by private funding through sources such as individuals, churches, businesses, civic organizations, and annual fundraisers.

The present board consists of President Robert Dunavant; Vice President Jerry Reno; Treasurer, Charles Davis; and Secretary Amy Thomas. Other board members are Melissa Harrison, Sis. Kate Reagan, Roger Childs, Taj Colom, Lisa Massengill, and Martha Goolsby.

The SAV-A-LIFE Center operates daily with a volunteer staff of peer counselors which include Joy Kirk, Ethel Grisham, Edna Miller, Janet James, Suzanne Caviness, Heather White, Donna Sides, Lois Holliday, Marilyn Harrell, Frances Morris, Martha Murphey, and Dora Bonilla, (Hispanic speaking).

Receptionists at the Center are Leta Searcy, Amanda Duncan, Patsy Lence, Sharon Moore, Tiffany Miller, Susanne Wooley, Randi Turner and Stacy Spink. Rachel Harper conducts a Genesis Program on Tuesdays. This program offers education for adolescent and adult women on the realities of parenting, and presents the facts on adoption. Life skills classes are offered in areas of finance, career, and healthy relationships.

For more information about the banquet, or for reservations or volunteer to help call Terri Stanford at 837-1864. For more information about the SAV-A-LIFE Center call 837- 0802 or visit www.optionline.org.

Office hours are Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Center is located at 109 Bails Rd. next to the Good Samaritan Center.