WOODBURY — A groundbreaking was held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the Knights of Columbus ultrasound project at the National Life Center here.
Participating in the ceremony were members of Blessed John Paul II Chapter Knights of Columbus, joined by their chaplain, Msgr. Michael T. Mannion, National Life Center president and founder, Denise Cocciolone, and other friends of the NLC.
The 882-square foot, two-story addition to the NLC building at 686 North Broad Street in Woodbury will provide space for an ultrasound exam room, a handicapped accessible bathroom, an exterior concrete ramp, additional office space, and much needed storage space for items to assist young mothers and their babies.
Msgr. Mannion blessed the addition and the staff from NLC and the Knights for their efforts.
Funding for the project has been provided by the Knights of Columbus State Council and 41 councils in Camden and Gloucester counties. In addition, the Tom and Glory Sullivan Foundation of Potomac, Md., contributed $20,000 for the project due to Msgr. Mannion’s involvement in the project.
Members from a number of KC councils have volunteered to help build the addition to defray the estimated $88,000 construction cost. Joseph Badame, AIA, of Habitech Architects in Medford donated $5,000 in architectural services to the project. Cipriani Builders and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at Christ Episcopal Church of Woodbury will participate in the construction work as well.
“The National Life Center is the parent corporation to the 1st Way Pregnancy Centers across the country,” said Cocciolone. “NLC works with a network of associates throughout the country. Through our National Toll-Free hotline we are able to network with over 3,500 pregnancy centers throughout the U.S. and provide counseling and referral services 24 hours a day.
“Since 1970, the staff at the National Life Center has provided compassionate guidance and counseling to mothers facing pregnancy and has helped save half a million babies. NLC receives thousands of calls per month. Every woman is treated with respect, dignity and kindness. Complete confidentially is guaranteed and our services are free,” she said.
“By offering ultrasound exam services, NLC will be able to provide state of the art images of their unborn child to their clients. Such technology will enable these women to hopefully make the choice for life,” continued Cocciolone.
“It is anticipated that the addition will be completed by early February of 2010 and the ultrasound exams will be available to NLC clients by early spring,” according to Bill Harris of the Knights of Columbus.
For more information or to make a donation for the Knights of Columbus National Life Center ultrasound project, contact wharris8592@comcast.net
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