Following up the pro-life events of January, a buffet fundraiser for Good Counsel Homes will be held from 6 to 10 p.m., Feb. 24, in St. Margaret School, 773 Third St., Woodbury Heights.

Themed “Craft Beer, Beef and Baskets,” the evening is hosted by Infant Jesus Parish Knights of Columbus Council #13259, and will include an all-you-can-eat buffet of food provided by Botto’s Italian Line Restaurant, craft beer and wine and live music by John Childress. All proceeds will benefit Good Counsel South Jersey – a program that assists pregnant mothers in need.

Good Counsel Homes began in New York City in 1985. While ministering to the homeless, the late Father Benedict Groeschel and GCH founder Christopher Bell would occasionally encounter a pregnant woman – and at the time, there was no place that cared for her particular needs: help with prenatal care and delivery, a plan to care for her child once she gave birth, and the means to figure out how to continue to feed, shelter, and love her newborn.

Mothers who come to one of the seven Good Counsel Homes stay for up to one year after the child is born.  During their stay, they meet with trained caseworkers who help develop a plan that will provide the roadmap for self-sufficiency. 

Team support is provided by both staff and volunteers to help the mother in her decision to give birth. Life skills classes are provided, which offer basic training in all aspects of nurturing and caring for a family. GHC provides mothers with educational and employment opportunities, and when necessary, day care for toddlers and newborns.  Since its beginning, GCH has helped to assist with 1,065 births.

Tickets are $30 per person in advance, and $35 at the door. Checks should be made payable to Good Counsel Home South Jersey.

For tickets, contact JoAnn DiNoia, 609-387-2928, [email protected]. For more information about Good Counsel South Jersey, visit GoodCounselHomes.org.