ATLANTA—On April 21, the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta-Atlanta Region hosted its annual “Life is Beautiful” event, benefiting Pregnancy Aid Clinic (PAC) in Atlanta.

For more than 10 years, the Order of Malta-Atlanta Region has hosted dinners for PAC, raising more than $800,000.

The 2022 dinner was a black-tie optional Monte Carlo Casino Night at Cherokee Town & Country Club in Buckhead. Approximately 180 guests enjoyed catching up with friends and trying their luck at various games including blackjack, roulette and poker.

The host committee was led by Melanie Colley and Margaret Grigorian, including Msgr. Edward Dillon (magistral chaplain), Jackie Bohling (hospitaller), Diane Festa, Arthur Grigorian, Michelle Hines, Susan Jannetta, Carolyn Johnson, Neil Johnson, Lynn Mullaney and Kim Schulman.

Atlanta Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., offered a blessing and thanked the participants for supporting the work of Pregnancy Aid Clinic.

A testimonial video featured a young mother named Michel who, because of PAC, decided to choose life. Michel, who was present at the event, said in the video, “I decided to name my baby Melody because when I heard her heartbeat on the ultrasound it sounded like music.”

The Order of Malta–Atlanta Region has scheduled the 2023 “Life is Beautiful” event for Friday, April 14.