Cheryl Deutsch, Care Net Banquet Committee member, tuned up her guitar as guests filled the blue and green peacock feathered hall of the Christ Evangelical Free Church.

Care Net's 14th annual fundraiser was held at the Lehighton church with all proceeds returning directly to the nonprofit organization. Care Net of Carbon County is located at 531 Mahoning St. in Lehighton.The mission: to bring community support and resources to those facing pregnancy and encouraging healthy choices in sexuality, relationships and parenting. It works to "save lives through biblically-based peer counseling and education instruction."The 501(c)(3) center is funded completely by private donations, and the banquet is one of its largest fundraisers.The night's program began with two songs sung by Rachel Ruba, board co-chairman, and volunteer Kayona McFadden to the accompaniment of Deutsch's guitar. Ruba took her place behind the podium and welcomed the estimated 100 guests.Dinner was served by the night's volunteer wait staff of Blue Mountain Community Church youth group Elevate.Cassandra Bortz, 14, said, "Nate, our group leader, said we should volunteer for a good cause."The fundraising banquet was also a celebration for two young mothers and their babies.Christina Acevedo was an abused girl living in and out foster care her whole life. A teenager and "basically homeless," Acevedo found herself pregnant."Everyone was pressuring me to get an abortion. I was really conflicted when I walked into Care Net. But I didn't feel judged. They helped me change my mind," she said to the audience, wiping tears from her face.Cheyenne Parr of Lehighton found Care Net when she noticed a brochure in a WIC office.Teenaged Parr was "partying with my friends and staying out late," when she discovered she was three months pregnant. She was immediately sent to several different hospitals where doctors gave few answers after an overwhelming amount of testing."Finally they let me know something was wrong with the baby," she said.The baby was diagnosed with arthrogryposis. This means a child is born with joint contractures, some joints don't move as much as normal and may even be stuck in one position. Often the muscles around these joints are thin, weak, stiff or missing. Some times extra tissue may have formed around the joints, freezing them in place."The doctors said if the baby was born she would be really small or a vegetable. She would have seizures and a lot of other problems. The doctors recommend abortion," Parr said. "I walked in to Care Net and they made me feel like I mattered, like the baby mattered."Ahnya was born Jan. 20."She can't move her arms but she tries. We have had to take her to Philly for weekly castings every month. She has had two surgeries in her ankle. With splints she has an 85 percent chance of walking," Parr said. "Care Net really helped me and made me feel loved."A round of "Happy Birthday" was sung to the two infants.Care Net Director Susan DeMara spoke to the room about the pressure on today's youth."Our young people are struggling whether they know it or not. What these girls and guys are looking for are long-term relationships and they are not sure how to get it. We need to teach them to guard their hearts," DeMara said.She introduced Care Net's new community program Embrace Grace. The idea behind the program is to help find a church for single and pregnant girls."A lot of times a church has nothing to offer her. They will look down on her and judge her. We want this program to give these girls new hope," she said.Since Care Net opened its doors, it has helped over 2,000 men, women and children through services, groups and classes."Families are being helped," DeMara said.Care Net is nondenominational, Christ-centered organization that offers many services for both men and women. Parenting classes, free pregnancy testing, options counseling, adoption information or post abortion support."Care Net works to encourage healthy choices in parenting with classes and seminars," Ruba said. "Words are so important, they change people's lives every day. Our doors are open to anyone and everyone."All services provided by Care Net are free and confidential. Day and evening hours are available. Call 610-379-0411 for an appointment.