Thank you!
Thank you so much for volunteering to work at the Lorain County Right to Life educational fair booth. We are delighted to have you partnering with us in the defense of human life!
This is a great opportunity to meet other Pro-Life people, and to spread the Pro-Life message that each person is a precious creation of God that deserves our love and respect.
Helping with the Right to Life booth makes a positive difference and saves lives!
We’ve developed the following information to help you prepare for your time volunteering at our booth. Since we regularly update the info on this page, please visit this page often. We welcome your feedback on how these materials can be improved.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call one of our booth coordinators:
- Joe Wing: 440-823-3363
- John Ciarrone: 440-935-7258
Thank you again for your help! Thank you for joining with us in defending the precious gift of life!
God bless you!
Lorain County Right to Life Fair Booth Committee
Table of Contents
- Introduction – Some Background on Lorain County Right to Life
- What to expect at the booth
- New at the booth this year
- Training materials
- Volunteer Resource Information for each event
Introduction – Some Background on Lorain County Right to Life
We Hold These Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness: Our nation was founded on the principle that each human life is a gift given by our Creator God. Each one of us is valuable beyond measure, and is endowed with rights, specifically because God has poured His creative genius into making each one of us. We can rejoice that each of us is unique and unrepeatable. We are wonderfully made to know and to love God and each other. Our Nation’s founders recognized that the role of a just government is to recognize and protect this fundamental truth.
Our Mission: Lorain County Right to Life Inc., is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, community based organization that inalterably defends the inalienable right to life for all living humans from the moment of fertilization to the moment of natural death regardless of race, color, creed, sex and physical or mental maturity, perfection and development. We are dedicated to promoting an all encompassing respect for life, educating and encouraging all peoples to seek positive solutions to the human problems of its members. It is furthermore, a purpose of this organization to seek passage of and uphold a Human Life Amendment.
Our Issues: We stand in favor of the sanctity and dignity of all human life. It is necessary, then, that we stand in opposition to abortion, which kills thousands of innocent children every day. We also stand in opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide because these kill the elderly, the disabled, and others who are deemed unworthy of living. There are other issues that come up in the course of our mission that our Board has policy positions on. You can find a link to our Positions Paper by clicking here. (A copy of the Positions Paper will be posted at the booth). The Board of Lorain County Right to Life recently approved an expanded Policy Statement on In Vitro Fertilization to help clarify an issue that has been in the news a lot of late.
It’s important to remember: Lorain County Right to Life is a non-sectarian, non-profit organization. As such, we don’t promote a particular religious affiliation. It is our hope that all people, regardless of their faith background, can come to realize the beauty, dignity, and worth of all human life. Further, we don’t advocate for or against any particular political candidates or parties. We do educate and inform the public about where candidates and parties stand on life issues.
What to expect at the booth
Our booth has lots of great Pro-Life information. We have the fetal models on display, along with numerous pieces of educational literature. There are also Precious Feet pins, Precious Ones preborn baby models, bumper stickers, and other items for sale. This year we will again have the “Truth Booth” with videos showing the humanity of children before birth via real-time ultrasound! New this year, we are planning to have videos and literature available (only for showing to select adults) that show the awful truth of what happens to babies in abortion. We will have Response Cards for people to sign up for our newsletter or to request information. And we have our business cards with our contact information.
Here are a few things to remember while volunteering at the booth:
- We have good news to share about the Gift of Life! Engage the people walking past. Be friendly, smile, say hello, etc. Many people will stop at the booth if you reach out to them in a friendly way.
- Most people who stop by the booth agree with us. Affirm them. Ask them if they’re on our mailing list. Ask if we can help them spread the good news about life at their church, etc. They can fill out one of the Response Cards to join our mailing list or to ask other questions.
- Our website at loraincountyrighttolife.org has lots of good information. Please feel free to direct people to our website. The address is on our table and on our business cards. Information on our website includes:
• Help available for those with an unexpected pregnancy
• Help for those hurting after abortion
• Short videos with talking points on how to present the Pro-Life position to others
• And lots more… - It’s OK to not have all the answers. If you aren’t sure of how to respond to someone, admit you’re not sure and offer to have someone from Right to Life follow up with them. You/they can use one of the Response Cards on the table for this purpose.
- Don’t forget to PRAY before, during, and after your shift. God will use you to accomplish wonderful things if you put the results in His hands!
For a list of general instructions for while you’re volunteering at the booth, click here.
New at the booth this year
- We are making available a booklet “Sharing the Pro-Life Message” to all booth volunteers. This is an excellent resource with many topics covered in a question-and-answer format. You should be receiving a copy of the booklet in the mail. Please read through the booklet and bring it with you for reference during your shift at the booth.
- We have a 2 Question Survey to ask passers-by. Last year, we “test-drove” the survey at a couple of County Fair shifts. It turned out to be a GREAT way to start discussions with those who agree with us, and also with those that don’t. Check out the Survey and instructions here. We will have copies for your use at the booth. Please try to use the Survey as much as you are able to engage passers-by. Be bold. Be friendly! You’ll be amazed at the results!
- The Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act (House Bill 370 or HB370) was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives in June. The Foundation to Abolish Abortion (FAA) has put together a flyer that explains what HB370 is and is not. While Lorain County Right to Life has not yet taken an official position to support this specific legislation, we appreciate the enthusiasm and principals of those who introduced the bill. There will be more info on this in the coming months. In the mean time, please feel free to become familiar with the Bill. We will have copies of the FAA flyer at the booth.
- The passage of the anti-life, anti-family Issue 1 Constitutional Amendment in 2023 made clear that many people feel a woman’s autonomy is superior to a baby’s right not to be murdered (see discussion about the amendment below). Sadly, many people are still in denial about what abortion does to a baby. We will have literature at the table (but not readily displayed) showing abortion victim pictures. Please use these with discretion if needed to help people understand the brutality of abortion.
- Lorain County Right to Life is actively seeking to partner with area churches. Encourage people who stop at the booth to fill out a Response Card with their name and the name of their church. We will then follow up with them afterwards.
Training Materials
It’s really important to prepare for your time at the booth. Many of the people who stop by agree with us, but some do not. The booth provides an opportunity to lovingly share the truth with people who probably won’t hear it through the news, other major media, social media, or other popular sources of “information.”
Our Website
Please spend some time getting to know our Lorain County Right to Life website. There’s a lot of good information there. It definitely helps to know what’s there when talking to people at the booth. In particular:
- If a mom is looking for help with an unexpected pregnancy — you can refer them to our website.
- If a woman (or man) is hurting after abortion — you can refer them to our website.
- If someone is in denial about the reality of abortion and what it does to babies and their moms — you can refer them to our website.
- If someone wants to learn how to better defend their Pro-Life views — you can refer them to our website.
- …(you get the idea!)…
The Supreme Court Dobbs Decision
On June 24, 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court in its Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision returned the authority to regulate or prohibit abortion to the “people and their elected representatives.”
The November 2023 Anti-Life, Anti-Family Ballot Initiative
Tragically, on November 7, 2023, 57% of Ohio voters used that authority to pass Issue 1, which enshrines unlimited abortion in the Ohio Constitution. Issue 1 contained no implementing legislation, and so is being used by pro-abortionists to bring a number of lawsuits in order to dismantle all protections for preborn children in Ohio. So far, Issue 1 has been used to overturn Ohio’s Heartbeat protection law, and lawsuits have been filed to remove informed consent for women seeking abortions, and also to remove basic safety and cleanliness requirements for abortion facilities. We will undoubtedly see lawsuits brought to strike down restrictions even on late-term abortions.
Post Issue 1 polling indicates that most Ohioans didn’t vote for Issue 1 because they wanted unlimited abortion. Rather, they voted for moral relativism and women’s autonomy. That is, they saw women being able to choose abortion as superior to a preborn child’s right to not be murdered.
The challenge we face, then, is to redirect Ohio in a Pro-Life direction by convincing people of the humanity of preborn children and the inhumanity of abortion. We must re-humanize the de-humanized. Our booth will emphasize both the humanity of preborn children, but also have available materials that document the horror of what abortion does to those children.
Pro-Life Basics
Any discussion about abortion must always return to the two basic questions concerning abortion.
- What are the Unborn?
- What does abortion do to the Unborn?
The Pro-Life position is easily summarized as: 1) It’s wrong to kill innocent human beings; 2) The Unborn are living, innocent human beings; 3) Abortion kills them; 4) Therefore, abortion is wrong. While those who favor legalized abortion will bring up lots of other side issues to justify abortion, we need to always get back to the basics.
Below, we’ve compiled some some excellent educational videos to help when you are volunteering at our booth, and also for whenever you are sharing with others why we are Pro-Life. These include how to address the two basic questions, and also how to direct the conversation back to the two basic questions as side issues come up. These videos are also linked in the Resources area of our website.
What are the Unborn?
Defending your Pro-Life views in 5 minutes or less. This short video is a great reminder to keep the focus on the first central question of the abortion debate: “What are the unborn?”:
What does abortion do the Unborn?
What Is Abortion? This website is especially useful for those who want to talk about the “issue” of abortion, but never about the “act” of abortion. These videos have converted many “pro-choice” people to Pro-Life! The website name is easy to remember and share: abortionprocedures.com
Lorain County Right to Life also has a What Is Abortion page with these videos, other videos, and also photographs of abortion victims. Sometimes, it takes a frank discussion of the act of abortion to jog the conscience of those in denial about the act of abortion and what it does to babies and their mothers.
What about the abortion pill?
Over half of all abortions in the U.S. and in Ohio are now performed using the abortion pill RU-486 (brand name Mifiprex). It important to understand how the abortion pill works. In addition to the baby being killed, women also suffer from the process of chemical abortion.
The abortion pill (sometimes referred to “chemical abortion” or “medical abortion”) is usually a 2-pill process. The video below explains chemical abortion and also discusses the harms to women.
Many women change their minds about a chemical abortion after they have started the process. It may not be too late to save their unborn child. There is an effective process called Abortion Pill Reversal that gives their unborn child a second chance at life. Usually the Reversal process needs to be started within 72 hours of taking the first abortion pill. Information on Abortion Pill Reversal can be found here. The Abortion Pill Rescue Network has a 24/7 Helpline that can be reached at 1-877-558-0333. We plan to have information at our booth about Abortion Pill Reversal that you can share with people who stop by.
The testimonies of women who have undergone chemical abortion is showing that chemical abortion inflicts a larger, more devastating emotional wound on women than surgical abortion.
Side Issues
Below we accentuate responses to some of the most frequent arguments being used by those who favor legal abortion, especially since the Dobbs decision. Check out the videos and the resources linked to each video.
“Women must be able to control their own bodies…”
See also:
What about abortion in cases of rape?
“Isn’t abortion necessary health care to save women’s lives? Doctors won’t treat an ectopic pregnancy or other life-threatening condition if abortion is outlawed.”
See also:
Abortion is Never Medically Necessary
Every State With an Abortion Ban Allows Treatment for Miscarriage and Ectopic Pregnancies
Other videos in the Pro-Life Replies series:
Pro-Life Replies – How you can reply to the most common pro-choice arguments you encounter every day This series of short videos provide straightforward replies to some common pro-abortion arguments. Check out the whole series!
- “Abortion is a Constitutional Right”
- “Women Will Die From Illegal Abortions”
- “Babies With Disabilities Are Better Off Aborted”
- “No One Knows When Life Begins”
- “I’m Personally Pro-Life, But…”
- “A Fetus Is Not A Person”
- “Abortion Will Stop Overpopulation”
- “Abortion for Babies with Fatal Diagnoses”
- “Is Pro-Life just Pro-BIRTH?”
- “Embryos don’t have equal value”
- “Is pro-life forced life support?”
“Let’s Talk Abortion” conversation navigator
Created Equal has put together a lot of GREAT information in one place. “Let’s Talk Abortion” has links for:
- How to talk to others (your children, friends, someone considering abortion, your pastor, etc.) and even has a section for how to talk to the public
- How to answer specific questions. Included is an extensive list of frequently asked questions and corresponding Pro-Life answers.
Other side issues:
How often have we heard “If you were really Pro-Life, you would be fighting to end _list other social problem here.” Here’s a great response to that distraction:
Volunteer Resource Information for each event:
Corn Festival:
- Booth Location and Parking Map
- Corn Festival Booth Volunteer Instructions
- Lorain County Right to Life – Positions on Life Issues
- 2-Question Survey and Instructions
- HB 370 Flyer
Lorain County Fair:
- Booth Location and Parking Map
- Lorain County Fair Booth Volunteer Instructions
- Lorain County Right to Life – Positions on Life Issues
- 2-Question Survey and Instructions
- HB 370 Flyer