"Hope" is more than just the name of The Hope Center.

It's what motivates all those involved with caring for, and improving, the lives of young mothers, babies and, at times, other members of the women's families.

Just as important, the center gives the mothers hope they will succeed in life and in caring for their babies.

That was the message emphasized Thursday evening at a well-attended benefit dinner for The Hope Center, the crisis pregnancy/resource center located in Greene County.

The Hope Center this year has served more than 550 clients, and assisted 78 women who have had babies, according to director Sharon Hodgens.

The Hope Center celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

More than 190 people attended the banquet and fundraiser at the General Morgan Inn.

Dr. Paul Stanton, president of East Tennessee State University, was the keynote speaker.

The theme of the evening was "Hope Through the Eyes of a Child." Photos of several young babies helped by The Hope Center were printed in the center's program that attendees received.

In addition, a large photo montage of several children was projected on one wall of the large ballroom where the dinner was held.

Revenue from dinner tickets and donations received Thursday evening totaled $40,000, according to Hodgens, the director. More donations are expected to come in over the next several days, she said.

"It was a fun and festive night," Hodgens said this morning. "I was touched and blessed by all the people who show such interest and concern in The Hope Center. It's my passion."

" 'Hope' is the one word of the English language that I favor above all others," keynote speaker Stanton said.

"Every one of our students" at ETSU have the hope of a better future for themselves that a college degree will provide, he added.

Stanton related the story of one woman overcoming several family-related obstacles in order to attend the ETSU College of Medicine, which finally resulted in her becoming "a noted psychiatrist."

Said Stanton, "Hope -- that's what she had."

He also recalled ETSU's construction of a College of Pharmacy two years ago.

"If you build the programs that people need and want, the dollars will follow," Stanton said.

For evidence of that philosophy, he said the school raised $5 million in 10 weeks for the pharmacy program "because of people having hope we can meet challenges."

He also recalled U.S. President Andrew Johnson's career from his humble roots, which included no formal education, to his multiple elected positions he held and his eventual rise to the presidency.

Johnson "invited hope," Stanton said.

He called Hodgens "one of the most dedicated people I know," and recalled how the center's director literally "held the hand of a young lady" when she had a Caesarian section and no family members or friends were there to support the new mother.

Concluded Stanton, "With work, will power, faith and perseverance, anything is possible."

The Hope Center, supported entirely by donations, has as its mission to seek "to meet the physical, spiritual, emotional, moral and social needs of the woman facing a crisis pregnancy."

It has a 24-hour "Hopeline" that at times convinces callers contemplating an abortion to instead bring their unborn child into the world.

It also provides young mothers with nutrition classes, baby care classes, parenting classes, mentoring, abstinence classes and adult learning classes, such as obtaining a GED.

Emotional highlights of the evening were when two mothers who have benefited from The Hope Center, Margaret LeDesma and Chastity Brooks, gave their testimonies.

LeDesma recalled how, last year at the age of 16 and in high school, she hid her pregnancy from everyone she knew for six months.

She said about one week before she was ready to set an appointment to have an abortion, the baby kicked.

"I knew that was a sign from God that it was meant for this baby to be in my life," LeDesma said.

She said she persevered through the many challenges of having a baby at a young age through the love and support of her grandmother and Hodgens, the director of the Hope Center.

"I am now a Greeneville High School graduate and working full-time to help support my son, Jayden, and my grandmother," LeDesma said. She also volunteers at The Hope Center.

Phil Roe, the Republican candidate for the First Congressional District, spoke briefly about his pro-life stance.

General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Ken Bailey Jr. brought his young daughter, Meredith, to the speakers' lectern.

He said three years ago, Meredith decided that instead of accepting gifts for herself on her birthday, she would donate them to charity.

For the last two years, Meredith has been "thrilled" to give presents to newborn babies at The Hope Center, Bailey said.

Dr. James Kilgore, president and CEO of Free Will Baptist Family Ministries, challenged those present to "ask yourself, 'What can I do?' and simply do something" to help The Hope Center.

The Tusculum View 5th Grade Chorus, under the direction of Cindy Sams, sang "On Eagle's Wings" and "Go Light Your World."

Amanda Kilgore sang, "Life is Sacred."

Scott Niswonger, the Greeneville business leader and philanthropist, introduced Dr. Stanton.