SIDNEY — Morgan’s Place is a local ministry dedicated to aiding families who have lost a child through miscarriage or stillbirth. Founded by Mollie and Nathan Verdier and located in southeastern Shelby County, its mission is to honor the sanctity of all human life, specifically the unborn. Services include funeral planning, grief support, and much more. Morgan’s Place is non-denominational, and has no geographic limits, assistance goes to anyone, anywhere. All help is at no charge to the grieving family. To know about Morgan’s Place is to learn it is “More than a cemetery.”

Morgan’s Place was recently the recipient of two grants which will allow for the funeral services of several babies over the coming months. The first award came from The Shelby County United Way Women’s Initiative Group, P. O. W. E. R. The letters represent passionate, optimistic, women, encouraging, and results. The mission of this organization is to develop and marshal financial resources to improve the lives of children and their families throughout Shelby County.

The second grant came from the Knights of Columbus. This fraternal benefit society was founded in 1882 through the efforts of Father Michael McGivney and other parishioners at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Their purpose is to bring financial assistance to the needy. The gift came from the Ohio Charity Foundation, an arm of the Ohio State Council Knights of Columbus. Much help in this process came from Father James O. Byrne Knights of Columbus Council 1592 in St. Marys, Ohio.

Other news involving Morgan’s Place revolves around a new section of the cemetery and an upcoming dinner/concert. On July 24th of this year, Morgan’s Place expanded its services and opened a new section of the grounds dedicated to babies that are left for hospital disposition. Ministry staff states that, “we would like all hospitals, pregnancy resource centers, abortion clinics, and obstetrician offices to know that we are here to give dignified burials to all babies at any gestational age.”

On Saturday evening, October 19th, Morgan’s Place will host its third yearly dinner/concert at the Winner Family Harvest Barn. This venue is located at 7317 State Route 47, Degraff. The evening will include dinner and a concert by Soul”d Out, a Christian trio that has sung many times in the surrounding area. A quilt auction, raffle, and 50/50 drawing round out the evening. Doors open at 5:00 PM with tickets at $ 25.00 for adults and $ 15.00 for children. Sponsorships are available for this event. Sponsors to date include Superior Aluminum Products, Greg and Priscilla Wilt, Monnier and Company, Alan and Renee Winner, and Jim and Gwen Stevenson. Additional sponsorships come from Dave and Judy Boerger, Dan and Theresa Reichert, Justine O’Flynn, and First National Bank of New Bremen. Knights of Columbus Insurance Greater Ohio Agency, Town and Country Power Washing, Farmers Alliance LLC, and Elsner Painting & Pressure Washing Inc. round out the sponsorship list.

For more information about Morgan’s Place or the topics discussed above, please contact Priscilla and Greg Wilt at (937) 497-8118 or Mollie and Nathan Verdier at (937) 726-9988 or [email protected]