The 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 Perry and the surrounding Dallas County community.
The cheerful bags were filled with fresh fruit, canned goods, sweet treats, handy snacks, handwritten notes of encouragement, prayer crosses crafted by the Perry Lutheran Homes residents, a treat from Acorns and Oaks Christian Academy children, Portals of Prayer devotionals, activity books, ink pens and more.
Project Deliver the Love is one of the ways the 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 the many 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. More than 20,000 meals are prepared, cooked, transported and delivered each year to older adults in Perry, Minburn, Dallas Center, Granger and Woodward, regardless of their ability to pay.
“Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal,” said Lynette Groenenboom, the Perry Lutheran Homes development director. “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.”
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 the Project Deliver the Love website 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 the Perry Lutheran Homes business office at 1300 28th St., Perry, IA 50220.
This year’s Project Deliver the Love impacted the lives of more than 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,” said the Perry Lutheran Homes COO and Administrator Melissa Gannon. “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.”
The 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 and Crematory, Faith Lutheran Church and 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 and Family Medicine Clinics, Every Step Hospice Care, Fareway Stores-Perry, Hy-Vee Food and Pharmacy-Perry, Martin Bros., Perry Lutheran Homes staff, Raccoon Valley Radio, St. Croix Hospice and ThePerryNews.com
- Smile Creator Sponsors: Acorns and 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 and 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 and School-Boone and Zion Lutheran Church-Ogden
- Perry Lutheran Homes team members — planning committee members, event volunteers, item and monetary donors, logistics helpers, prayer supporters and more.
Mollie Clark is the director of marketing for the Perry Lutheran Homes.
