POINT PLEASANT — Being passionate for a cause means standing up for what you believe in.

And Connie Gibbs, president of the Mason County Right to Life, is very passionate about living life. Gibbs has served as the Mason County Right to Life president for 10 years and has been involved with the organization for 14 years.

According to Gibbs, she has always had pro-life beliefs, but didn’t become passionate about the cause until later in life.

“I kept hearing it on the news about abortions and put it off my mind for a long time because I didn’t want to believe it... I didn’t really become aware of the issue until 15 years ago and the more I heard in the news of so many babies getting aborted I thought ‘not in America we are supposed to save lives not kill’,” Gibbs said. “I saw signs on a bulletin board for a (Right to Life) meeting and felt that God put it on my heart to get involved.”

Throughout her years involved with the Mason County Right to Life organization, Gibbs said that she has formed several lasting friendships as well as had many opportunities to meet politicians and other leaders. In fact, she described the variety of people that she has met through the organization as the most interesting aspect of being involved with right to life.

“The most interesting thing is that I get to shake hands with people who have shaken the President’s hand. When we have conventions I meet senators, governors, and the president of the National Right to Life group is always at the convention,” Gibbs said.

However, Gibbs described the organization’s goal, which is to save lives, as her favorite part of being president of the Mason County Right to Life.

“I feel it’s a noble calling and I feel that we are at least trying to do something about the abortion issue,” she said.

Gibbs added that the friendships she has formed also has made her involvement in the group memorable. She said that she has made several memories with the group, and described the bond that the groups members share as being particularly special.

“I have made a lot of friends with the group. They are forever friends because we have the same heart,” she added.

According to Gibbs, the hardest part of being president of the Mason County Right to Life is distributing the large amounts of literature that the group periodically sends out before events, such as elections. Gibbs said the organization not only delivers literature on abortion but also distributes information concerning other life issues, such as euthanasia and stem cell research. Although she described the work as hard, she emphasized that being passionate about a cause means spreading the word to educate others.

“The biggest thing is trying to get people motivated. The majority of people are pro-life, but they don’t do anything about it,” Gibbs said.

She added that the organization has worked hard to spread their message by supplying area high schools with fetal models as well as selling pro-life bumper stickers and jewelry. In addition, the group makes baby bottles for Mothers Day, which they give to area churches to fill with money. The group also collects baby items during Sanctity of Life week to take to the Crisis Pregnancy Center and organizes a Mother’s Day Walk each year. The group has an information booth at the Mason County Fair, participates in New Haven’s Christmas Bazaar and has participated in several parades as well.

Mason County Right to Life also sponsors the Pretty Baby Photo Contest at the Mason County Fair. According to Gibbs, several group members also attend both the state and national right to life conventions. As president of the organization, Gibbs is required to lead the meetings, which are the first Monday of each month at either Main Street Baptist Church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Heights United Methodist Church. She also prints out information and assists in the planning of events and activities. However, Gibbs said that she could not properly do her club duties without the assistance of Erewanna Jeffrey, Mason County Right to Life treasurer.

“(Jeffrey) has just been my right hand man. We’ve worked very closely together and we couldn’t have accomplished all the things we have without her,” Gibbs said.

In addition to her regular duties as club president, Gibbs must keep up on new information and research.

“At the convention you have classes — either a general session or you go to individual classes,” she said. “We go (to the classes) so we can better communicate and be better in informing people who need to know.”

Gibbs emphasized that the Mason County Right to Life organization does not judge others and is simply to promote the importance of life. In fact, she said the group has and is willing to help those who have had abortions deal with the guilt they may feel. In addition, right to life provides information on adoption as well as directs young pregnant women to outlets that will provide them with support and help, such as the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

She also emphasized that although the group often works with churches that they are not a religious organization.

Gibbs encouraged those that are passionate about life to get involved and promote the cause.

“We need new members. It’s a thrilling work. It lifts your heart and you feel very blessed by being involved,” Gibbs said. “We’ll be happy when we stand before God for what we’ve done, and (right to life) is a good way to make new friends.”

She added that nothing will ever get done if people don’t become passionate, and encouraged others to take a stand.

“The problem is that most people aren’t passionate about anything. They are only interested in themselves and their pleasures... They need to get passionate. Life is hard. There are many serious issues that need people to take a stand on,” Gibbs said. “I think one of the biggest problems is that we’ve forgotten about God and gotten away from Godliness and holiness. We need Christians to get back to holy living of teaching abstinence and helping people see that sin is sin.”

This is certainly advice that Gibbs has taken to heart as she continues to stand up for what she believes in as well as inspire others to become passionate about a cause that they believe in.

(If you know someone who could be a potential candidate for an upcoming “Day in the Life” feature, e-mail his or her name and contact information to mdrnews@mydailyregister.com or call 304-675-1333.)