In past years I have suggested going beyond Christmas and other holiday gifts that will soon be forgotten, returned or worn out, in favor of one that will last for generations to come.

Last year I wrote about the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which provides private school tuition for poor and middle-class children in failing public schools. Not only do the private schools offer them a better education (most go on to college), but they also provide a moral foundation essential to living a successful life.

This year I’m recommending the ultimate gift – the gift of life to an unborn child, with accompanying assistance to the mother to help her prevail over what can be difficult circumstances in an unplanned pregnancy.

Heartbeat International was founded in 1971, two years before the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case which struck down all state abortion restrictions. According to its year-end report, “(Heartbeat) is now the most expansive network in the world, assisting more than 3,500 affiliated pregnancy help locations … with medical clinics (ultrasounds), maternity homes and adoption agencies in more than 90 countries to provide alternatives to abortion.”

In its annual report for 2023, Heartbeat says it received more than 1.8 million in-person client visits. Their promotion of a pill that reverses abortions for women who have changed their minds after initiating the procedure has “rescued” 5,000 babies. It is something Planned Parenthood vigorously opposes.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Heartbeat to force the organization to provide women at their help centers with abortion information. The Supreme Court rejected California’s efforts, but thanks in part to subsidies from the federal government (Elon and Vivek take note as you seek to reduce spending), they are likely to pursue other efforts to stymie the work of Heartbeat and pro-life organizations.

The experience of holding a baby in your arms and embracing a woman who sought life-affirming help, rather than an abortion – realizing you have contributed to that moment – is a unique experience. It is one I have enjoyed on many occasions.

Think of the positive impact. Each child rescued from an abortion will likely have children, and they will have children and so on for generations to come. A woman will be free of the guilt and sometimes depression and self-destructive behavior that too often comes after the procedure. An abortion removes a branch from the family tree.

News stories report sharp declines in birth rates in the U.S., Canada and Europe. There are several reasons, but abortion, along with a desire to avoid the “expense” of children, appear to be the main ones. Failing to have enough children to at least replace adults who die will have serious economic, social, political and other consequences for especially free nations.

While there have been more abortions since Roe was overturned in the Dobbs decision, Heartbeat and other pro-life groups continue to spread information often denied women by abortion clinics. On Heartbeat International’s website there are testimonies from women who at first sought an abortion, in some cases taking the abortion pill, and then changed their minds. Their comments also include the words “support” and “resources,” something lacking at abortion clinics. Their stories counter the lie told over the years that pro-life people don’t care about the woman or the baby after birth.

Saving lives – babies and mothers – is a two-way blessing. Make a donation and see what I mean.

Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com.