The Warren County Pregnancy Options Center (POC) held its annual Banquet for Life Thursday, March 21, at the Holy Rosary Activity Center in Warrenton. The center will celebrate its first anniversary April 30.Executive Director Jay Chowning and his wife, Hollie Chowning, the agency’s client services director reported on the activity since the center’s opening. Twenty-five area families have been served, including the birth of nine babies.Jay Chowning said the birth of area babies to families in crisis situations is “priceless.”“We take our baby holding very serious around here,” he said. “Eight babies are on the way from now to September.”Services include free pregnancy tests, life coaching, parenting classes, maternity clothes, baby items and other support. The center’s new ultrasound machine has been installed. Jay Chowning thanked the Knights of Columbus and the Tyler Romacher Memorial Fund for making this possible.He said three registered nurses and one OB-GYN will perform the scans at the request of expectant mothers. A portion of the funds raised at the banquet will help pay for training for the ultrasound volunteers, expected to cost $6,000.Connie Hart, singer and songwriter, shared the story of the birth of her granddaughter just days before. The baby girl had a birth weight of 13 ounces. She said although small, the baby is doing well.“She is 13 ounces of a little tiny human being who is perfect,” she said.Dr. Pamea Moehl, life skills coach and author, served as the guest speaker for the event. She told the story of her journey from being pro-choice to becoming pro-life. A friend experiencing an unexpected pregnancy asked Moehl what she believed about abortion versus life.“I’m glad I’m here,” Moehl answered her friend. “I’m glad my mom took a chance on me.”Moehl said that was all it took to save a life. She has been passionate about the pro-life cause since then. Moehl reaches out to teens in area schools, counsels them, and gives her time to organizations such as the POC.The POC announced the playing of the movie “Unplanned” in local theaters beginning Friday, March 29. It is the true story of Abby Johnson, one of the youngest Planned Parenthood clinic directors in the nation and how what she saw changed everything.The POC wishes to thank Holy Rosary, the underwriters for the event and Fleur de Lis Florist for providing the venue, monetary support and flowers.The POC is located at 102 S. East St. in Warrenton and can be reached by calling 636-235-1477 or by emailing pocofwarrencounty@gmail.com. The website is www.pocofwarrencounty.org.Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. and Friday by appointment.