Today, December 23, 2020, I celebrate my 27th anniversary as executive director of South Carolina Citizens for Life. It has been an amazing two and a half plus decades. I want to personally thank you for all you have done to enrich my life as we band together to save and protect the innocent, vulnerable members of our human
family.

I remember my first day in the SCCL office as if it were yesterday. Alone in the office I didn't even know how to turn on the heat. The next day, Christmas Eve, 1993, I unexpectedly held my first press conference.

That morning, the front page of The State -- the newspaper where I worked as a reporter for 16 years -- carried a disturbing article about the decision of the S.C. Department of Social Services to terminate life support for a 2-year-old girl, Mona Sonnier. Mona had been beaten into a coma and dropped off at the emergency room of a
local hospital. The reason DSS gave to end the child’s life? Mona's Medicaid bills had reached $1 million.

Even though I hardly knew where the phone was in my new office, I called as many people as I could, including the news media, to strongly protest the deliberate killing of an innocent 2-year-old whose life depended on the government. As a result of the involvement of South Carolina Citizens for Life, DSS rescinded its decision.  Little Mona lived several more years until our Lord, in His own time, brought her home. 

Needless to say, 27 years later, the year 2020 has been the most unusual year of my 70 years of life. God’s hand continues to protect and guide the SCCL office. He kept us going during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also called some of us home to live with Him forever. It is with profound sadness for ourselves we let you know of
some of our losses this year.

• Most recently Fred Kerr, 83, of West Columbia, died in his sleep on December 19.
• We lost Pastor Bob Shearer, 77, of Greenville, who died of COVID on December 8.
• We lost Teresa Bays, 79, of Greenville on December 6, to lung disease and declining health.
• We lost Jackie Cooper, 94, of Springfield, beloved mother of our President Lisa Van Riper on June 30.

We know as Christians we do not say “Goodbye.” We say, “See you later!” And while we who remain behind greatly miss our loved ones and friends, we rejoice in the sure and certain knowledge that they have entered Eternal Life with God. I believe Jesus greeted each one of them with, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

As I enter into another year of pro-life work -- work that God has called me to do and provided for me -- I want to thank you again for your faithful support and gifts of time, talent, and treasure.

Merry Christmas and a most happy Year of Our Lord 2021.

Sincerely,