Run Through Time Proceeds Provide Care, Meals and More to Perry’s Elder Citizens

The community of Perry, together with Perry Lutheran Homes, is stepping up in a big way to support Perry’s elderly citizens. On Saturday, July 6, sponsors from Perry and surrounding towns as well as a runners, walkers and rollers came together to raise over $8,000 for the second, annual Run Through Time 5K Fun Run to raise funds for needs of elderly citizens in Perry. In addition, Perry Lutheran Homes, in partnership with the city of Perry, will be supporting the continuation of the weekly, senior fellowship meal held at the McCreary Rec Center.

Proceeds from the run were distributed to the City of Perry for the weekly, Senior Fellowship Meal served at the McCreary Rec Center to provide meals and socialization for elder citizens in the community of Perry and to Perry Lutheran Homes to support residents unable to afford care.

More than forty percent of those age 65 and over regularly experience loneliness, according to a University of California, San Francisco study. These feelings of separation, disconnection and isolation lead to serious health problems such as depression and dementia as well as in increased likelihood of death. From the funds raised by the Run Through Time 5K Fun Run, $1,000 was donated to the Senior Fellowship Meal program as just one of many ways to help combat loneliness in our elder citizens.

Perry Lutheran Homes recently learned that the Senior Fellowship Meal was in jeopardy of closing due to lack of cooking staff. After discussions between the city of Perry and Perry Lutheran Homes, both parties agreed to a partnership to assure that this important weekly meal and socialization gathering will continue with evaluation at the end of the year. Perry Lutheran Homes dietary staff will take over the meal preparation portion of this event beginning September 1.

John Andorf, Mayor of Perry, states, “The weekly fellowship and meal time together is important to so many seniors in Perry. We are grateful for the staff at Perry Lutheran Homes for their support in helping this continue.”

Remaining funds raised through The Run Through Time were used to support the care of residents at Perry Lutheran Home’s Willis campus where elders are able to stay social and live meaningful and purposeful lives.

“Residents living at Perry Lutheran Homes have so many opportunities to engage with life. Whether it’s loving the babies and children in our on-site daycare, participating in our mission projects, or taking part in one of many planned activities. We find that many times before residents come to live with us, they were isolated and lonely. After moving in and joining the Perry Lutheran Homes family, they we get to see them blossom and thrive,” states Melissa Gannon, COO and Administrator at Perry Lutheran Homes.

Elder generations have done so much to care for others over the years. It is an honor and privilege to now care for them. Perry Lutheran Homes, as well as Mayor John Andorf, would like to thank all Run Through Time 5K sponsors that helped to lead the way and StepUp! Thank you to Lawrence Bice & Family, Jiffy Lube of Des Moines – Curt & Aimee Carlson, Raccoon Valley Radio, The Perry Chief, Progressive Foundry, Perry Chamber of Commerce, Tyson Foods, The Perry News, Denman & Company, EdwardJones, Haaland Financial Services, John & Julie Kiley, LaPoste, Mary Rose Collection, Perry Perk, Perry Greenhouse & Supply, Hotel Pattee, Frio, and Fareway. Thank you to all others who helped in any way by volunteering or serving on the committee, including John McGee and KDLS radio, for making the Run Through Time 5K memorable with music from each decade along the entire route.

Mark your calendars for Friday, July 31, 2020 at 7PM for the third, annual Run Through Time. All walkers and runners are encouraged to help celebrate music, memories and elder citizens. Join the movement by taking the weekly StepUp! Challenge, found on Perry Lutheran Homes’ Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PerryLutheranHome, and at www.RunThroughTime.run, where new, creative and fun ways to engage with and care for elders in your community are shared each week.

For those age 50 and above, make plans to join in the weekly senior fellowship meal that takes place every Wednesday at noon from September 4, 2019 through May 13, 2020. Come enjoy a full meal, including drink and dessert, for just $5.00. Call the McCreary Center to make your reservation at 515-465-5621.

Perry Lutheran Homes is Perry’s only locally owned and operated care community serving Perry and surrounding communities for nearly 65 years. Perry Lutheran Homes offers innovative, personalized, Christ-centered care at two campuses in Perry, IA – Willis Campus and Spring Valley Campus. Services include independent living, assisted living, award-winning memory care, in-home care, respite care, skilled care, rehabilitative therapy, intermediate and long-term care, and end-of-life care.