2025 Walk for Life update
Take Courage
❤️ Grateful Beyond Measure
At Heartbeat of Columbiana County, gratitude is at the heart of everything we do. In our daily struggles and triumphs, we are reminded to give thanks—for the courage to keep going, for the strength to stand together, and for the joy of witnessing lives touched by hope.
This year’s Walk for Life campaign was a shining example of that courage. You showed up in a huge way, and together we reached a remarkable milestone. While our goal was $40,000, we are humbled and thrilled to share that we raised $36,862.64 to date. Every step, every pledge, and every prayer brought us closer, and we could not be more grateful.
🏅 Honoring Our Churches
We are blessed to have had 21 churches participate in the walk. Your faith-filled commitment inspires us, and we celebrate the top ten churches who led the way in pledges:
1. Lake Church of Christ
2. Chester First Christian Church
3. Wellsville First Christian Church
4. Northside Church
5. Boyce Church
6. First Free Methodist
7. Church of the Center
8. Sacred Heart
9. Faith Community Church
10. Rogers Assembly of God
Your unity and generosity remind us that the body of Christ is strongest when we walk together.
🎊 Celebrating Our Pledge Gatherers
We also want to honor the individuals who went above and beyond in gathering pledges. Their dedication consistently shines year after year:
• 1st Place: Angie Laverie
• 2nd Place: Marsha VonLudmann
• 3rd Place: Kathy Sullivan
• 4th Place: Susan Thomas
Your perseverance and passion for life are an inspiration. We are extremely thankful for your steadfast commitment.
⭐️ Recognizing Our Supporters
Our 2025 Walk for Life Supporters generously provided supplies and financial help to make the walk a huge success. We extend heartfelt thanks to L & B Donuts, Hogan’s Bakery, Amy Martin, Starbucks, Dillion Fruit Farm, Horst Sub & Deli, Sam’s Club, Calcutta Health Care, Northside Church, First Free Methodist Church, Giant Eagle (Calcutta), Trickling Springs, Jennifer Pelley, Horst Meat Packing, Glenmoor Superette, Horst Meat Packing, Hoge’s Restaurant, DiRusso’s Sausage, Horst Sandwich Co. (Salem), Save-A-Lot (Columbiana), Chick-Fil-A (Boardman), The Heights Church, Lake Mount Church of Christ, Tim Hortons, and Arnott Insurance for their contributions.
👏 Appreciating Raffle Item Donors
We are also grateful to our gift basket raffle item donors, including Cindy & Frank Russo, Kevin Morris, MomCo @ Wellsville First Christian Church, Best Western Plus (Das Dutch Haus Inn), Pizza Hut, Bob & Robin’s Flowers, City Soup, Columbiana Barber Shop, Justin & Sarah Reed, El Paso Mexican Grill, Nick Reed, Kingdom Tattoos (Columbiana), Dillon Fruit Farm, Advanced Auto (Calcutta), Timeless Creations, Riverview Florist, Anthony’s Barber Shop, AAA, Down on Main (Leetonia), Maria Matthews, and Melissa Householder. Your generosity and support have truly made this event memorable.
🗣 Introducing Abortion Pill Talk
This year’s walk also marked the launch of something new and powerful: the Abortion Pill Talk campaign. This is a national initiative, and Heartbeat of Columbiana County is honored to be the first pregnancy help resource in the nation to join. This campaign opens doors for women who have taken the abortion pill and are desperate for hope-for another chance to choose to life. Through this we’ll be able to reach women right where they are-with compassion, truth, and real help.
Friends, the culture around us is shouting confusion-but your support shouts something louder: Life is sacred. Every woman matters. And God is still at work.
🛡 Courage That Honors Life
The Walk for Life is more than a fundraiser—it is a testimony of bravery, faith, and love. Each pledge, each step, and each prayer is a declaration that life is precious and worth honoring. To witness your courage is an honor we will never take lightly.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in the mission. And thank you for reminding us that when we walk together, we walk in strength, hope, and gratitude.
Together for Life ❤️
Teresa Rufener
Executive Director