Photo Caption: Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life in America, will be the featured speaker at the events planned by Knox County Right to Life.

GALESBURG — Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life in America, will be the featured speaker at the Festival of Life celebration to be sponsored the last weekend in October by Knox County Right to Life.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, the pro-life efforts of clergy from throughout the region will be recognized at a Pastors’ Appreciation Dinner that begins at 7 p.m. at the McAteer Center of Corpus Christi Parish in Galesburg. The public is invited to the dinner, which kicks off the Festival of Life. For reservations, call Pat Conklin, (309) 343-2852, or Pat Regnier, (309) 375-6816.

The major Festival of Life event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26, at Bethel Baptist Church, 1196 N. Academy St. It begins with a pro-life youth presentation at 6:30 p.m., followed by a presentation by Hawkins on how youth of today are working to establish a culture of life on college and high school campuses across the country. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

A resident of Manassas, Virginia, Hawkins has guided Students for Life of America since 2006. The organization has more than 700 campus pro-life groups in 49 states. Hawkins, who will also address the Pastors’ Appreciation Dinner, is author of the 2013 book “Courageous: Students Abolishing Abortion in this Lifetime.”

The mission of Students for Life of America is to end abortion by educating students about the issues of abortion, euthanasia and infanticide; identifying pro-life student leaders; and equipping student pro-lifers with training, skills and resources to be effective and successful.

Other events planned by Knox County Right to Life during October include taking part in the Life Chain on Oct. 5 at the public square in Galesburg and praying on Oct. 16 at Peoria’s abortion facility as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign.