Become a #DifferenceMaker through "Project Deliver the LOVE" on Thursday, May 2!
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.
"Project Deliver the LOVE" is an incredibly meaningful and fun way to celebrate and connect with our community's older adults! You can be one of our 100 #DifferenceMakers (volunteers) that brings sunshine, joy, and love to over 350 older adults on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Volunteer spots fill up fast, so sign up early.
Sign up to volunteer:
- Text "deliverlove" to 515-320-8256
- Use the form below or HERE
Did you know that older adult loneliness is an epidemic, affecting the health and well-being of our older adults living at home and in senior living communities right here in Iowa? Fifty-six percent of older adults said they felt isolated and lonely in June 2020, according to a University of Michigan poll on healthy aging. The COVID pandemic forced many more older adults further into a state of loneliness and isolation. We have come to realize that so many of our older adults are "invisible" to the people and communities around them. These feelings of separation, disconnection and isolation lead to serious health problems such as depression and dementia, as well as an increased likelihood of death.
"Project Deliver the LOVE" is one of the ways Perry Lutheran Homes engages and equips communities to fight the silent epidemic of older adult loneliness in a very visible, impactful and meaningful way. This event is all about connecting and forming lasting connections with older adults leading to future visits. “Project Deliver the LOVE” was created and launched in May 2021 by Perry Lutheran Homes together with a volunteer committee. Since 2021, our #DifferenceMakers (volunteers) have assembled and hand-delivered baskets full of fresh fruit, snacks, encouragement, Christ-witness, and love to older adults each year in Perry and Northern Dallas County! We've made over 1,200 deliveries of smiles and love to older adults since we started in 2021! ♥
This year, 100 volunteers are needed to sign up for 1.5 hour shifts anytime from 9AM to 4:30PM to pack up baskets and then hand-deliver the love. Sign-up online using the form below or at https://perrylutheranhome.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/2024-project-deliver-love-volunteer-signup or text "deliverlove" to 515-320-8256
The feedback received from "Project Deliver the LOVE" recipients is overwhelmingly positive; most grateful that someone thought of them. Some recipients were even moved to cry tears of joy as our volunteers hand-delivered the love. For some recipients, “Project Deliver the LOVE” volunteers were the only visitors these people had seen all month.
- “I felt loved and blessed. I live alone and enjoy seeing people. I am at a loss for words. Thank you is all I can say!”
- "It put sunshine in my day!"
- “I was so thankful that someone thought of me; some days I see and talk to no one.”
- "I felt grateful and wonderful! Thank you for making the basket for me and bringing it! I was blessed and really enjoyed talking to those who brought me the basket! You made my day!"
- “It feels good to be remembered and to have visitors.”
- "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
- "I am 80 years old and have little company. Visitors are a blessing."
“Project Deliver the LOVE” also had an equally moving impact on volunteers.
“This was an amazing way to come together and show the elderly that they are never forgotten! Seeing the smiles and getting hugs that literally brought tears to my eyes...I felt honored to play a part in this event,” event volunteer.
“I saw how ’Project Deliver the Love’ brought far more than just a basket of food and other items to elderly folks here in Perry. Many appreciated the fact that someone had thought of them and took the time to physically show up and express care and love in a very tangible way. We had some great conversations and spent time listening to their stories. Many expressed how much they appreciated this kindness and how alone they have felt…. I was reminded of how valuable our older citizens are and how much they have contributed to our community,” said corporate sponsor and volunteer, Gus Henrici, Chaplain at Tyson Foods.
Sign Up to Pack & Deliver the Love
Make a difference in the lives of others; sign-up online to volunteer at: https://perrylutheranhome.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/2023-project-deliver-love-volunteer-sign-up
Basket packing will take place at Perry Lutheran Homes Eden Acres Campus located at 1300 28th Street, Perry. The first volunteer shift starts at 9AM. Each volunteer will pack up baskets and then deliver baskets to older adults in the community. Volunteers will get to see firsthand how they are impacting the lives of those to which they “deliver the love.” The last volunteer shift starts at 3PM. Volunteers will need to be age 12 and over to pack baskets (with adult supervision) and age 16 and over with a valid driver’s license to be a driver.
Submit Name & Info of Older Adult
In addition to volunteering, community members are encouraged to think about older adults they know who are age 75 or older, live within a 10-mile radius of Perry, and would experience joy by receiving a personal delivery and a basket filled with fresh fruit, snacks, encouragement and love. Submit elders’ names by April 19 online at: https://perrylutheranhome.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/2024-older-adult-submission-to-receive-project-deliver-the-love-visit-may-2 You can also submit an older adult's name and info by texting "sendlove" to 515-320-8256.
Make a Financial Gift
If you’re not able to volunteer, we encourage you and/or your organization to share your love with your most generous financial contribution. Your partnership will not only activate community members to form lasting and meaningful relationships with older citizens, but will provide food security through Perry Lutheran Homes Meals on Wheels program that delivers over 20,000 meals each year to home-bound older adults in Perry, Minburn, Dallas Center, Granger and Woodward. The costs to prepare, cook, transport and deliver over 20,000 daily meals each year requires additional congregation and community support to continue.
If your business, congregation or service organization would like to contribute financially to “Project Deliver the LOVE” and Meals on Wheels, we have an excellent sponsorship program which provides our partners with unique value in return. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Lynette Groenenboom at lgroenenboom@PerryLutheranHomes.org or 515-465-5342 x232.
You can make a gift online at https://perrylutheranhome.networkforgood.com/projects/95263-project-deliver-the-love, text "give" to 515-320-8256, or send a check with a notation “Project Deliver the LOVE" / Meals on Wheels to Perry Lutheran Homes business office at 1300 28th Street, Perry, IA 50220.
Please spread the word to others!
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