The Herald-News - News Story

A crowd watched candles and a building note burn Sunday at the Women's Care Center in Dayton as the organization observed Sanctity of Life Sunday and celebrated a milestone.

Sanctity of Life Sunday is celebrated across the United States as groups hold vigils to lament abortion and the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized the procedure in 1973.

Executive Director Lenita Sanders and other Women's Care Center staff welcomed a group of approximately 50 for the observation.

Pastor Mike Justice of the Family Church in Dayton led the group in prayer.

Following the vigil, Sanders and members of the center's board of directors burned the note for their building on Market Street, signifying the fact that it has now been paid off.

"We paid it off earlier than expected," said Women's Care Center Board of Directors Chair Jerry Hendrix.

Women's Care Center Treasurer Anita Joy Hostetler said the center ended up paying the building off 16 years early, which will free up funds for other projects.

"We had people give special gifts to get that done, and it just worked out," she said.

The money it was using for building payments can now be used to offset expenses the center will incur when several federal grants expire next year, primarily for its abstinence education programs in area schools.

Hostetler said the extra cash won't pick up all the funds, though.

"It won't even come close," she said. "It's just a small drop in the pocket."

Hostetler added that the observance of Sanctity of Life Sunday was imperative.

"We've lost so many people in our community who didn't get the chance to live and make a difference in the world," she said.

Hostetler has served as treasurer for the center for 16 years.

The care center purchased its building on Main Street in December 2004, and staff moved in after renovations were completed almost a year later.

Ironically, the center began in 1985 in the Keener Marketing office, right across the street from its current building, according employee Carol Holloway.

The center occupied two other spaces on Market Street between then and when it purchased its current building.

The center also operates satellite offices in Dunlap, in neighboring Sequatchie County, and in Spring City.

Michael Reneau can be contacted at michael.reneau@rheaheraldnews.com.