The Knights of Columbus of Chantilly raise funds for a mobile ultrasound van

St. Timothy’s Church in Chantilly raised $15,579 in a recent “Bottle Fundraiser” to help A Best Choice Mobile Ultrasound and Pregnancy Resource Center purchase a new van. The fundraiser was organized by Knights of Columbus St. Timothy Council 7369, which raised more than $10,000 for the organization in 2019.

Grand Knight Brian Tumulty said Knights began handing out baby bottles to fill with donations at Mass Jan. 22, the day after the March for Life in Washington. Bottles containing a leaflet describing the Woodbridge-based nonprofit were also handed out at Sunday masses during the rest of January and early February.

Angela Clark, the organisation’s executive director, said $150,000 has now been raised for a new van and she hopes a suitable vehicle can be obtained in the coming months. A Best Choice received a new 3D ultrasound scanner in 2020 through a fundraising campaign led by the Knights of Columbus at Mount Vernon, which raised approximately $25,000.

The current van, a 2000 Ford Conquest, is over 20 years old and has had recurring maintenance issues and safety issues, Clark said.

The Chantilly Knights fundraiser was led by Dick Wadden, the council’s pro-life chairman, assisted by Knights Bill Cormier, Tom Herbert, Simon Lobo, Chuck Hawk and others, Tumulty said. Donations included more than $1,800 in coins collected from baby bottles; the rest was paid in cash and checks.

A Best Choice estimates that its services have helped save 131 babies (including five sets of twins) from abortion over the past four years. Clark attributes the organization’s success to its ability to meet pregnant women where they are. “Most women find us online or are referred to us by other pregnancy resource centers that don’t do ultrasounds,” she said.