By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES DEANERY — The dedication of two long-time volunteers at Pregnancy Center East in Hyde Park was recognized on Sept. 19 when Barbara Momper and Rosemarie O’Sullivan received the President’s Volunteer "Life Time" Service Award in Washington, D.C. Both were honored for serving more than 4,000 hours at the pregnancy center over the past 26 years.

COURTESY PHOTO

Rosemarie O’Sullivan, left, and Barbara Momper, longtime volunteers at Pregnancy Center East, recently received the President’s Volunteer "Life Time" Service Award for their more than 4,000 hours of dedicated service.

Both Momper, a member of St. Mary Parish in Hyde Park, and O’Sullivan, a parishioner at Christ the King in Mt. Lookout, have been volunteers at Pregnancy Center East since it opened in the early 1980s. They have worked as client advocates, counseling the often frightened young women who come to the center for a pregnancy test, served on the board of directors, raised funds and inspired their fellow volunteers, said Scott Stephens, executive director of the center, who nominated Momper and O’Sullivan for the for award.

"They’ve truly given their hearts and souls to caring for the women over the years," Stephens said. "To me, their dedication for all those years is just amazing. They were busy raising families but still volunteered. They come in early for the clients and stay late. They and our other volunteers are fantastic and have such strong faith."

Momper and O’Sullivan said it was "humbling" to receive the award and spoke of how rewarding their ministry has been and continues to be. "Each case is different, and each case touches me," Momper said. "The women often feel like they’re backed into a corner and we’re able to help them see the light and choose life."

"Each day is meaningful and the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life," added O’Sullivan. "It’s a community effort."