Evaleen Weinhold, a 96-year-old resident of Mount Hope Nazarene Retirement Community in Manheim, summed up the resilience of senior citizens this past year when she imparted the lesson she's learned from the pandemic: "Lean on the Lord and go to your knees. ... This, too, shall pass."

While COVID-19 has affected all segments of the population, the impact has been particularly hard on seniors like Evaleen, who have dealt with fear, isolation and loneliness as the pandemic has closed retirement communities to the public. With restrictions being lifted, seniors at Mount Hope reflected on this past year - and how community members can help support the mission of the retirement community.

Before she came to Mount Hope, Evaleen worked as a registered nurse and raised four children with her husband, Ernest, who passed away in 2015. When the pandemic hit, she learned to cope without visits from her children and grandchildren. "I just didn't feel as free," she recalled. "I kept thinking, 'This, too, will be conquered,' ... The Lord gives me what I can bear and the wherewithal to bear it if I need to." While her family could no longer come and sit on her bed with her, they could talk to her on a phone from outside her window.

For 90-year-old Barbara Mayo, the pandemic not only brought isolation from family members, but it also forced a separation between Barbara and her husband of 67 years, Devere. After having a stroke, Devere went to a rehab facility, but soon Barbara found she couldn't visit him due to restrictions. "It was terrible," she said, noting that she could only see Devere through a window. "He was very, very lonely and we watched (him) simply deteriorate. I felt like my world was collapsing." Barbara prayed that an opportunity would open for the couple to move somewhere together, and she soon learned about Mount Hope, which focuses on keeping couples together if at all possible. Devere and Barbara spent five months together at Mount Hope before he passed away in January. Barbara wasn't sure how she'd get through the days without Devere, but she now has a roommate, Marlene Campbell, with whom she prays, sings and socializes. "She is an inspiration," Barbara said. "The days seemed long after Devere's death. I sat on the edge of my bed and thought, 'Is this all I'm going to do?' Then they paired me with Marlene, and now the days disappear." Barbara is looking forward to visiting with her family, which now includes 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, grateful that her faith has guided her through this past year.

Faith is a big part of the Mount Hope community, which provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation to 50 seniors regardless of their ability to pay. To help support the ongoing ministry of Mount Hope, the public is invited to a drive-through curbside pickup meal to be held on Saturday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the LCBC Manheim Campus, 2392 Mount Joy Road. Each meal will include chicken from Peters' Barbecue, gourmet cheese potatoes, savory baked beans with bacon, applesauce, a dinner roll and dessert. Preorders will be taken until Friday, May 14. To preorder, call Kris Wilson at 717-682-8026 or email advancement@mthopenazarene.org. No handling of money will occur on the day of meal pickup. Payment should be left in a drop-box in the form of exact change ($16 per meal) or checks made payable to "Mount Hope Nazarene Retirement Community."