Meet Life Campaign

Phase 1: The History

On July 16, 2011, the Missouri State Council Knights of Columbus announced the establishment of the “Meet Life” Campaign. The campaign’s goal was to reduce the number of abortions in Missouri by 50% by the end of 2016. This initiative was coordinated with the Vitae Foundation and In His Image Ultrasound.

The mission of the campaign was to reduce abortions by placing ultrasound technology in local pregnancy centers and using mass media advertising to direct women to those centers. These efforts allowed mothers facing unplanned pregnancies to bond with their unborn babies and encouraged them to carry their pregnancies to term.

The Results

By the end of 2016, the campaign raised $2,000,000 through donations over the 5-year period.
An endowment of $500,000 was established with a private donor’s contribution.
Abortions in Missouri decreased from 9,796 in 2010 to 6,790 in 2017—the lowest number since abortion became legal in 1973.
By the end of the 2018-2019 fraternal year, 44 ultrasound machines had been placed in pregnancy resource centers, with more installations planned.

A New Challenge

With the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the fight for life has shifted. Missouri has banned abortions, treating them as illegal activities, but this does not diminish the importance of protecting the unborn through ultrasound technology.

Pro-abortion groups are now targeting Missouri with efforts to make abortion a constitutional amendment. The Knights of Columbus in Missouri, along with other pro-life groups, are leading the fight to defeat this initiative in November.

Why Ultrasounds Still Matter

Ultrasounds are powerful tools in showing expectant mothers the humanity of their unborn children, encouraging them to choose life.
Missouri’s ability to provide ultrasounds remains vital in countering abortion efforts and supporting mothers.

How Councils Can Help

Each year, the campaign aims to raise $200,000. Endowments are being established to reduce this goal in future years. Councils are encouraged to:

Organize fundraisers such as Baby Bottle Campaigns or dinners.
Host a second collection with the pastor’s permission.
Use parish bulletins to remind members to pray for the end of abortion.

Fundraising Goals

Each Council is encouraged to donate $5 per member (e.g., $1,000 for a Council of 200 members).
Awards will be given to Councils that meet 100% and 125% of their goals.
Fall and Spring appeal drives will invite individual Knights to donate more if they wish.

Donation Instructions

Make checks payable to “Columbian Charities” and contact Greg Elsey at meetlife@mokofc.org for mailing instructions. Include your Council, Assembly, or Auxiliary name and designate the funds for the Meet Life Campaign.

For assistance, contact Meet Life Chairman Greg Elsey at 417-861-1444 or meetlife@mokofc.org.

Motivational Statements

“We have been incredibly blessed by the most recent Meet Life Campaign. This campaign has been so effective in reaching abortion-minded women and getting them in our clinic door.”
– Sony Ride, Executive Director, Parkville Women’s Center

“The research-based website you put together for us has really increased the number of abortion-minded calls. We’ve seen a great increase in the number of abortion-minded clients that are texting, calling, and emailing.”
– Gary Smith, Executive Director, Hand ‘N Hand, Barnhart