Merry Christmas!

Hello!I have a wonderful opportunity for you! But first, I want to tell you about a big change SFLI made this year. Reflecting back, I’m in awe of how God works through SFLI in amazing ways!In the beginning of 2015, I saw an opportunity for SFLI to reach more students. It would mean moving a Chicago staffer to Champaign. While exciting, the decision was risky. Plus, I knew it would be a huge sacrifice for a staffer to move. In the spring, I decided Pam Suresca was the best person for the job. When I asked her to move, she humbly responded:“Yes, I will go.”Now, I know wherever I send Campus Mentors, great things happen. Yet, at the time, I didn’t know just how much Pam’s yes would mean!In Chicago, Pam prepared to move to Champaign.At the same time in Champaign, Ashley was in her freshman year at the University of Illinois.Then, Ashley found out she was pregnant. Her boyfriend, Gary, initially told her to do whatever she wanted. Feeling unsupported, Ashley scheduled an abortion.The day of the appointment came, yet Ashley did not go. “I just couldn’t do it.”But the story does not end there. As weeks went by, Gary’s emotional abuse of Ashley escalated. He neglected to respect her and their baby. Gary threatened to kill Ashley and their baby.Now fearing for her life, Ashley got a restraining order against Gary. This left her completely alone in a crisis pregnancy.Ashley scheduled a second abortion appointment.Click here to make it so students don't schedule abortion appointments!Looking for a way out, Ashley was still torn about having an abortion.She missed the second appointment.Summer came and Ashley got a reprieve from the isolation of campus life. Ashley went home where her mother led her to a pregnancy help center, who directed her to SFLI. The pregnancy help center knew Ashley needed more support than just choosing life. They knew she needed help on campus and they knew SFLI provides love for both mother and child.As summer ended, Ashley moved back to school with Pam’s phone number.At the same time, Pam packed up all her possessions, said goodbye to friends, and moved to Champaign.As the isolation set in for Ashley on campus, she reached out to Pam for help.Pam guided Ashley out of crisis and into a plan for her and her baby. Eager to help, our students rallied around Ashley, helped her find resources, and even scheduled a baby shower for her!With SFLI’s support, Ashley stopped living in fear and started building a future for herself and her baby.Ashley did not make it to the baby shower, though, because she was in labor! In November, Ashley gave birth to a beautiful baby girl!!Wow! God truly works through Students for Life of Illinois to save lives!Help SFLI save more lives here!Recently, Ashley was with our student leaders. As she was used to Gary’s disrespect, Ashley was confused as to why male students would help her. She asked, “Why are you here?”Pam’s mentee, Mike, responded:“It is my duty to protect women and children.”We all have a duty to saying yes to protecting women and children. SFLI does it by going to campus. Pam sacrificed to go to Ashley who was in need.Because of Pam’s yes, Ashley said yes to motherhood. Your yes will help us reach more people like Ashley.Say yes to supporting student mothers like Ashley!Today, you have a great opportunity to join with Pam, Mike, and all of SFLI in saving lives!Some very generous donors will match any gift that you give by December 31st up to $36,000!Whatever you give before the end of the year will count TWO TIMES for SFLI!                     When you give: $100                     SFLI receives:  $200                     When you give: $500                     SFLI receives:  $1,000                     When you give: $2,500                  SFLI receives:  $5,000                     And so on...We are all looking for a way to make our dollars go further. This is a great way to make your dollars go twice as far to save lives.Click here to make double the impact this Christmas season!Yet there’s more!If we raise $70,000 then a very generous donor will add another $8,000!Give your most generous gift today to help us reach more young people like Ashley!I want you to know that I deeply appreciate your support. Our success at saving lives and transforming students into pro-life leaders comes from you!I cannot do this without you. Join me in building a culture of life!Thank You and Merry Christmas!Kevin GrillotExecutive Director