More than 1.5 million educational brochures to be distributed in churches this weekend

Contact: Kristin Hansen, Care Net, 703-554-8742

LANSDOWNE, Va., Jan. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- Care Net, an organization that supports a national network of 1,150 pregnancy centers, announced Friday that a record number of National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday educational brochures (1.5 million) will be distributed in churches and across America on Jan. 20. These brochures explain how individuals can make a difference in the lives of women facing unplanned pregnancies by supporting the life-affirming work of pregnancy centers. To preview the brochures, visit www.care-net.org/sohlspreview.htm.

"Every day, thousands of volunteers show up at the doors of our nation's pregnancy centers to help those in need," Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde said. "Like the outpouring of love and support after a national disaster, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing communities across this nation respond in such positive ways."

Twenty-three years ago, the Christian Action Council, known today as Care Net, asked President Reagan to create a special day to focus on the intrinsic value of human life and the fundamental right to life. In 1983, President Reagan issued a proclamation establishing a National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (SOHLS). It is held on the Sunday in January that falls closest to the day on which the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions were handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court on January 22, 1973. The SOHLS proclamation has also been issued by Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Each year, individuals and churches sponsor a variety of activities and events to commemorate SOHLS, including special prayer services, sermons, and Sunday school lessons. As a national network of pregnancy centers has arisen to help women facing unplanned pregnancies, church leaders have begun to encourage members of their congregations to support their local centers.

Over the years, Care Net has distributed over 17 million SOHLS brochures to pregnancy centers to place in local church bulletins to raise awareness for their various needs. These centers, whose services are free, rely heavily on churches for volunteers, prayer support, board members, and financial and material contributions.

Care Net is a Christian, non-profit organization that seeks to facilitate the delivery of valuable, life-affirming, evangelistic ministry to people facing unplanned pregnancies and related sexual issues. Care Net supports the largest network of pregnancy centers in North America and operates, in conjunction with Heartbeat International, the Option Line call center and website that assists women in need 24/7.