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Service With A Smile

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: November 5, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A smile is worth a thousand words.

Alexandra Samantha Grace lit up the West Pasco Pregnancy Center office with her smile when the 7-month-old girl and her mom recently dropped by for a follow-up visit.

Indeed, little Alexa has earned the nickname "Smiley." The pregnancy center staff took turns cooing over the infant they had helped bring into the world. Marion Bauer, executive director, Mary Carter Smith, staff registered nurse, and others plopped Alexa onto their laps.

It's what makes it all worthwhile, Bauer said.

Alexa likes to "sing" as she thrives on being the center of attention. She was born in March as a 7-pound bundle of joy, 21 inches long.

To help keep the pregnancy center operating, the nonprofit agency is planning its annual Champions of Life Banquet. It will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave.

The guest speaker will be Hollywood entertainer and master impressionist Fred Travalena. A cancer survivor, Travalena often speaks on health and wellness issues.

Tickets are $25 per person. For reservations call (727) 846-9999.

The money raised at the banquet might go toward buying a newer ultrasound machine and starting an education program for new fathers, Bauer said.

"I felt the warm, loving atmosphere here," Alexa's mom recalled about visiting the center during her pregnancy.

Good Fortune

A feeling of desperation had begun to set in as the young mother was more than 20 weeks pregnant without seeing a doctor. Her part-time job didn't offer medical insurance. No way could she afford an ultrasound test, which might typically cost $150.

By accident, Alexa's mom had discovered the pregnancy center, which offers free ultrasound tests. A friend had stumbled across the center's Web site at www.wppc.info/. The pregnant woman couldn't believe her good fortune and soon stopped by the office at 5330 George St., near Community Hospital of New Port Richey.

"I got tears in my eyes," Alexa's mother said when the pregnancy center nurse handed a copy of the ultrasound picture to her. "There's a light inside of me."

The pregnancy center arranged an appointment with Mahnee Dinsmore, an obstetrician-gynecologist on the Community Hospital staff. Dinsmore is on the center's advisory board.

Beyond medical help, the center signed up the young mother for its Earn While You Learn classes. The staff referred her to a church food pantry for free formula for the baby. The center gave her free diapers, blankets and clothes. Counseling and parenting programs are available.

"They make you feel like family," Alexa's mother said about the pregnancy center staff and volunteers. "When you're down, they lift you up."

Donations Keep It Running

A lot of clients at the pregnancy center have moved to the area and don't have local family members to turn to, WPPC Assistant Director Mikell Fuhrmann said. Some clients have a hard time trusting people after rough childhoods.

For the most part, donations keep the doors open at the pregnancy center, Bauer said. Even after 22 years, the agency remains one of West Pasco's best kept secrets, Bauer said. WPPC usually assists 400 to 500 people each year.

The center also puts out spare-change collection jars, shaped like baby bottles, at area stores and other locations.

About 280 people attended last year's fundraising banquet, Bauer recalled. The money this year might help replace the 15-year-old ultrasound machine at the center. New models typically cost $23,000 or more.

The center also is expanding with an education program for fathers to start early next year. WPPC hopes to add evening hours one or two nights a week in the near future.

Right now, though, it's Bauer's turn to get her photo taken with Alexa.

"This is a fun place to work," Bauer said as she beamed a big smile into the camera while holding the infant.

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