By Vivian Collings

The Haliburton Pregnancy Care and Family Support Centre held their annual Fall Fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Lakeside Baptist Church in Haliburton and raised close to $4,000 to help support their programming and clients.
The fall fundraiser featured the Duketow family, otherwise known as the Rhythm and Grace musical group. They performed Celtic-style gospel songs, folk songs, and instruments, and used step dancing as percussion to go along with their music.
Julie Goodwin, executive director of Haliburton Pregnancy Care and Support Centre, said, “The Pregnancy Care and Family Support Centre (PCFSC) is a 100 per cent donor-supported charity. We don’t get any government funding, and that’s why we have fundraisers throughout the year.”
The Pregnancy Care and Family Support Centre is one of 80 across Canada.
The centre provides “parenting programs, pregnancy tests, options education for those facing an unexpected pregnancy, infant supplies, post-abortion support, newborn to size three clothing as well as sexual health and pregnancy education.”
All their services are free of charge to their clients.
“In the spring, we do the Baby Bottle Campaign, and in the fall, we do the fall fundraiser. Those are the two pillar fundraising events that bring in the most money for us to help us with our budget,” Goodwin said.

The Duketow family, based near Peterborough, played their music to fundraise for the PCFSC in 2019, 2021, and then 2022.
“I’m certainly hoping that we’ll have them back next year. Different people have reached out to us and asked if we’ll be having them back. They are a very talented, gifted family.”
Goodwin said there were about 100 people in attendance, and the care centre is still receiving donations.
“The crowd was very, very responsive. They always have been, but this year in particular.”
She said there were loud cheers and applause, and overall, the audience was very engaged in the performance.
2022 was the 12th year for their Fall Fundraiser. To donate to PCFSC, visit www.haliburtonpregnancy
centre.ca/ and click the donate button.