The Perry Lutheran Homes, together with the help of volunteers and sponsors, will deliver warm greetings and deliveries of love to more than 350 older adults through “Project Deliver the Love” on Thursday, May 2.
Launched in 2021, “Project Deliver the Love” is a home-grown, award-winning event that brings the community together to do good, have fun, and celebrate our older friends, neighbors, and loved ones. The project will not only celebrate and spread love to 350 older adults in one day but will also raise funds for life-saving meal delivery to home-bound elders the entire year through.
This year, 100 volunteers are needed to help pack up bags with fresh fruit, puzzle books, snacks, devotionals and more and then deliver the “love” to older adults living in their homes and senior living communities in Perry and Northern Dallas County.
“It was the most wonderful surprise gift I’ve ever received,” said Peggy, one of the older adults blessed by Project Deliver the Love in 2023, “and it is such a good feeling to know there are people to think that much of me to take time out of their day to do what they did. Thank you!”
Gary, another older adult who received visitors and a basket full of love through Project Deliver the Love, was similarly enthused.
“I was having a down day,” Gary said. “That basket made me feel great – about life and myself.”
Volunteers can sign up for a 1.5-hour shift anytime from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, in order to assemble and hand-deliver the love. A fun and rewarding volunteer experience awaits. Spots fill up fast, so volunteers are encouraged sign up early to get their preferred time slot at the Project Deliver the Love website or text “deliverlove” to the number 515-320-8256.
“When you volunteer for Project Deliver the Love,’ your heart will melt when you become that bright spot of joy in someone’s day,” said Jennifer Rothfus, marketing and admissions coordinator for the Perry Lutheran Homes. “Just one small gesture of love and kindness makes a huge impact. Older adults in our community should feel loved and valued, and that’s really what this event is about — loving each other and sharing the love of Christ. The goal is that one delivery might turn into future visits and new friendships formed.”
Volunteers will begin at Perry Lutheran Homes Eden Acres campus at 1300 28th St. in Perry to assemble and then hand-deliver the love to older adults. Volunteers need to be age 12 and over and/or accompanied by an adult to assemble baskets and age 16 and over with a valid driver’s license to be a driver for delivery.
Project Deliver the Love offers an excellent sponsorship program providing financial partners with unique value in return. All proceeds will benefit the local Meals on Wheels program.
“Perry Lutheran Homes Meals on Wheels program is more than just meals,” said Lynette Groenenboom, director of development for the Perry Lutheran Homes. “It’s about looking out for and loving your elderly neighbors — ensuring they are safe, fed and cared about — all of which are critical parts of our lives. It takes community support and partners to sustain this life-saving service. Please consider sharing your love through a financial contribution.”
It is only through generous hearts that enough funds are raised to continue to support the cost to prepare, cook, transport and deliver more than 20,000 daily meals each year to home-bound older adults in Perry, Minburn, Dallas Center, Granger and Woodward through the Perry Lutheran Homes Meals on Wheels program.
“If I’m getting a nutritious meal, then my health is better,” said Meals on Wheels recipient Marilyn. “For elderly people like me, I depend on it. It’s very important. I know I’m going to see my delivery driver’s smiling face. There’s interaction five days a week, and I enjoy talking with him. I’m so glad I am part of this. I really appreciate it and want to give them a big thank you.”
To learn more about Project Deliver the Love sponsorship opportunities, contact Lynette Groenenboom at lgroenenboom@PerryLutheranHomes.org or 515-465-5316 x232. In addition, anyone can donate online at the Project Deliver the Love website or by texting “give” to 515-320-8256 or by sending a check with a notation, “Project Deliver the LOVE/Meals on Wheels” to the Perry Lutheran Homes business office at 1300 28th St., Perry, IA 50220.
In addition to volunteering and donating, community members are encouraged to think about older adults who they know — age 75 or older and living in Perry or within a 10-mile radius of Perry — and who would experience joy by receiving a visit and delivery of love and encouragement. Submit names by April 19 to the Project Deliver the Love website, or you can submit names by texting “sendlove” to the number 515-320-8256.
For more Project Deliver the Love event details, visit the Perry Lutheran Homes website. To learn more about Meals on Wheels, visit the Meals on Wheels website.
Mollie Clark is the director of marketing for the Perry Lutheran Homes.
