by Bob Wurzelbacher

ON JUNE 7, CELEBRATE LIFE!
Wear your favorite Cross the Bridge for Life t-shirt, obey social distancing guidelines and get outside with your family! Post a photo at facebook.com/CTBforLife

The 2020 Cross the Bridge for Life, a celebration of life organized under the auspices of the Diocese of Covington and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, was canceled this year due to concern over the spread of COVID-19.

“While the decision to cancel was difficult, the safety of our community is the most important thing”, said Peggy Piccola, Cross the Bridge Steering Committee member.

PAY IT FORWARD
Although this is undoubtedly disappointing to the organizers, sponsors, and the thousands who participate in the walk every year, the organizers have decided to mark this 15th anniversary by paying it forward. Karen Riegler, chair of the Cross the Bridge Steering Committee, said, “Because of the loyalty of our many sponsors over the years, we have decided to take a portion of the
funds we have collected, and would have used for this year’s event, and offer it in the form of financial grants to the agencies in our Life Coalition. These 15 pro-life agencies and organizations have been at the forefront of helping women and men choose life for their unborn babies throughout our community.”

While a grant program was already planned as part of the 15th anniversary celebration, due to the generosity of faithful sponsors, they will now be able to implement the program on an even larger scale. This is especially important right now, as many of these life-affirming agencies are experiencing the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so thankful to the businesses who have stepped forward to help fund this program in spite of the financial uncertainty for everyone,” added Riegler.

INITIATED TO INSPIRE
Cross the Bridge for Life was initiated in 2005 by two former pregnancy care directors from Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The idea was to form a Greater Cincinnati Life Coalition to have a positive, family-friendly event to: 1) inspire those involved in the pro-life movement and be a witness to the sanctity of life; 2) inform the public of the many life-affirming services in the area for women, children and families; and 3) fill the Purple People Bridge with the joy of life!

Some 20 Greater Cincinnati life-affirming organizations are united in this event and more than 35 sponsors underwrite it. While it’s conducted under the auspices of the Diocese of Covington and Archdiocese of Cincinnati, a steering committee was formed in 2016 with representatives from prolife agencies and organizations on both sides of the river.