350 Older Adults Blessed with Personal Visits and Bags of Love

Events

Perry Lutheran Homes welcomed 100 volunteers at the fourth, annual "Project Deliver the Love" event on Thursday, May 2. Volunteers transformed ordinary items into heartwarming goodie bags that were hand-delivered to spread joy and God’s love to 350 older adults in and surrounding Perry, Dallas County, and more. See event photos below!

The cheerful bags were filled with fresh fruit, canned goods, sweet treats, handy snacks, handwritten notes of encouragement, prayer crosses crafted by Perry Lutheran Homes residents, a treat from Acorns & Oaks Christian Academy children, Portals of Prayer devotionals, activity books, ink pens, and more.

“Project Deliver the Love” is one of the ways Perry Lutheran Homes engages and equips communities to form lasting connections with older adults in a fun, impactful way that celebrates our older friends and neighbors. Recipients enjoyed receiving visitors in addition to their delivery of love. Here are some of their responses.

“I’m so surprised! And I’ve really enjoyed visiting with you gals. You made my day!”

“I can’t believe anyone thought enough of me to make and deliver this bag of love; it makes me feel special. And I want you to know that God loves you and so do I.”

“This brought a smile to my face as I had just gotten home from a doctor’s appointment… Thank you for remembering me…”

Funds raised through “Project Deliver the Love” sponsorships and donations help to cover Meals on Wheels program costs to ensure food security and daily well-being for home-bound older adults. Over 20,000 meals are prepared, cooked, transported, and delivered each year to older adults in Perry, Minburn, Dallas Center, Granger and Woodward regardless of ability to pay.

“Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal. For the woman who lost her spouse, our delivery volunteer is the bright spot in her day. For the man who fell and lay helpless on the floor, our delivery volunteer is his lifeline. This life-saving service can only continue with help from our community. Please consider making your most generous donation today,” said Lynette Groenenboom, Perry Lutheran Homes Development Director.

Through Project Deliver the Love, $14,000 of the $100,000 needed was raised. It is only through generous hearts that the Meals on Wheels program can continue. Give the gift of nutritious meals and daily well-being online at https://perrylutheranhome.networkforgood.com/projects/95263-project-deliver-the-love, or text the word “GIVE” to the number 515-320-8256. You may also mail a check with the notation “Project Deliver the Love - Meals on Wheels” to Perry Lutheran Homes Business Office at 1300 28th Street, Perry, IA 50220.

This year’s “Project Deliver the Love” impacted the lives of over 450 people in one day (recipients and volunteers) because of our partnering congregations, businesses, service organizations, community partners, volunteers, and staff.

“Thank you to everyone who played a role in the success of this year’s ‘Project Deliver the Love’ event. What a testament to how much our community cares about our older friends and neighbors. They see the happiness and joy that a personal visit and delivery of love and encouragement can bring and the need for food security for older adults,” shared Melissa Gannon, Perry Lutheran Homes COO and Administrator.

Perry Lutheran Homes would like to acknowledge all the incredible people and organizations that made “Project Deliver the Love” a great success. A special thank you to:

  • Volunteer committee members Diana Troester, Ann Carrick, and Lisa Baker
  • WORLD CHANGER SPONSORS: Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory, Faith Lutheran Church & Preschool, and Osmundson Mfg. Co.
  • DIFFERENCE MAKER SPONSORS: Concordia Publishing House, Drees Co., Forvis, and Raccoon Valley Bank
  • JOY GIVER SPONSORS: Blue Stone Therapy, Casey’s General Store, Dallas County Hospital & Family Medicine Clinics, Every Step Hospice Care, Fareway Stores Perry, Hy-Vee Food & Pharmacy Perry, Martin Bros., Perry Lutheran Homes Staff, Raccoon Valley Radio, St. Croix Hospice, and ThePerryNews.com
  • SMILE CREATOR SPONSORS: Acorns & Oaks Christian Daycare, Artisan Senior Placement, Christ Lutheran Church – Bouton, DM Crop Research Group Inc., Faith Lutheran Church Women’s Guild – Adel, Meriwether Wilson and Company PLLC Certified Public Accountants, Perry Elks Lodge #407, Perry Flowers by Donna Jean, Perry Greenhouse & Supply, Perry Paw Spa, Progressive Foundry, Senior Home Finder of Iowa, Spring Valley Honey Farms, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Regina Guild – Perry, TCB Companies, Trinity Lutheran Church & School - Boone, and Zion Lutheran Church – Ogden
  • Perry Lutheran Homes team members, residents, and volunteers – planning committee members, event volunteers, item and monetary donors, logistics helpers, prayer supporters, and more

Perry Lutheran Homes is your locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, Christian Caring Community serving Perry and surrounding communities for over 65 years. Perry Lutheran Homes offers innovative, personalized, Christ-centered living and care at three campuses in Perry, IA – Spring Valley Campus, King’s Garden’s Campus, and Eden Acres Campus. Services and housing include independent and assisted living, award-winning memory care, in-home care, respite care, skilled nursing care, rehabilitative therapy, intermediate and long-term care, end-of-life care, and Meals on Wheels.