In order to better serve pregnant women in the area, Sav-A-Life of the Pearl River Area is still seeking donations for a new ultrasound machine.

They’ve raised around $6,000 so far from the fundraising efforts of the Picayune Knights of Columbus, Picayune Noon Lions Club and individuals in the area, said Bonita Wynn, director of Sav-A-Life.

“The machine we have now has technical problems and doesn’t allow the mother to hear the child’s heartbeat,” Wynn said.

The new ultrasound machine costs $14,000 with a warranty costing an additional $4,000. Wynn said they don’t have to raise money for the entire cost of the machine, just as long as they can cover the warranty, with money to spare.

She also said it’s important for them to purchase a new machine in order to provide the free service to pregnant women in the area.

“If a mother is abortion-vulnerable, we can show her the ultrasound and it changes her mind. We can show them that there’s life in there and that’s what the ultrasound machine is for,” Wynn said.

The center, which is staffed by volunteers, is a non-denominational Christian ministry focusing on meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of women experiencing unplanned pregnancies. They offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, peer counseling, maternity and infant clothing, childbirth classes, abstinence education and referral to other agencies as needed.

Check donations can be made payable to Sav-A-Life of the Pearl River Area, Wynn said.

Contact Sav-A-Life staff at 601-799-2668 or pss1@bellsouth.net. For more information, visit savalifems.org or via Facebook at Sav-A-Life of the Pearl River Area. The center is located at 1101 Goodyear Blvd., and is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.