Good deed of the week 9/27/09

Betty Belle Branock is in her 80s and for almost two decades she has volutneered at Birthright, an organization in Cape Girardeau that helps girls and women with unplanned pregnancies. Branock comes to the center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday, often staying over to the next shift until she is sure everything is running smoothly, said Carol Berens, director of Birthright. Branock greets the clients when they come through the door and plays with any babies who may accompany their moms. Her duties include running pregnancy tests and counseling the young woman involved, giving out maternity clothes and items for babies and children, and answering the phone. Berens said Branock never misses a beat even on the busiest of days. When she isn't volunteering at Birthright, Branock can be found attending early Mass at St. Mary's, doing Aquatics at Saint Francis' Fitness Plu, or helping school children at St. Mary's practice reading their parts for an upcoming Mass. Birthright recently honored her with a statue of a child placed in front of the building.