Perry, IA, July 28, 2017– Nearly one hundred people showed overwhelming support for the new, Acorns & Oaks Intergenerational, Christian daycare at Perry Lutheran Home main campus on Thursday, July 27. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place at 8:30 AM and a service of blessing for the daycare at 6:00 PM surrounded by community members, mission partners, staff, residents, and children.

“We are extremely blessed to be located in a supportive community like Perry, Iowa. The impact of this Christ-Centered, Intergenerational mission is something far beyond what we can imagine. On behalf of everyone at Perry Lutheran Home, I would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the many partners including the Dallas County Foundation, the Bock Foundation, Iowa District West, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and the members of Christ Lutheran Church in Bouton, along with many individuals who helped to make the daycare space what it is today and help bring this dream to fruition,” expresses Rev. Max Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Perry Lutheran Home.

With a soft opening taking place on July 10, the daycare has been open for nearly three weeks. In these three weeks, amazing things have already been taking place through planned and spontaneous activities and interactions.

Chief Care Officer, Deb Koelln explains, “One of our wheelchair-bound residents, who happens to love children, has found a new purpose and passion helping out in the daycare on a daily basis. She brings both comfort and joy to the children around her.

Another resident that is very active, joins the children outside on the playground. A special bond has formed between a little boy and this resident as they play ball. So much that when it’s time to go inside, this little boy is sad to have to leave his new-found friend.

Because we have daily activities and interactions between the residents in our Memory Care Communities and the children, they have been able to connect on a level that is beyond words. During an art project with residents and children, one resident that was observing had a special moment with an eight-month-old baby. This baby placed his hands on the resident’s cheek, put his forehead on the resident’s forehead, and they shared a connection that was simply amazing. What followed were tears of joy from the resident, the resident’s son who was visiting, and surrounding staff members.”

Christ’s love and joy, along with respect and admiration between the generations, is certainly present at Perry Lutheran Home as a “home” for people of all ages. Those who live, work, visit, volunteer, and attend daycare are all part of PLH’s innovative, personalized, and Christ-centered care. From the outside, Perry Lutheran Home main campus may look like your “typical” senior care community, but those that come through the front doors know that it’s so much more.

Acorns & Oaks serves children in and surrounding the community of Perry age six weeks through five years. Hours are Monday through Friday from 5:30AM to 6:30PM. To apply for childcare, or to schedule a tour, contact Tammy Kratz at tammy@acornsoaks.com or (515) 465-5342 x22.
About Perry Lutheran Home

Perry Lutheran Home, founded in 1956, is a 70 bed, 9 apartment (Main Campus), and 39 apartment (Spring Valley Campus) Christian Caring Community in Perry, Iowa specializing in early, mid, and advanced stages of memory care. PLH is the recipient of several highly regarded LeadingAge Iowa awards for their innovative housing, care, and services. PLH offers a wide array of services to meet changing needs from home care to assisted living to long-term care to memory care.