One of the most effective ways to ensure benevolent care is through fellowship.
At least, that's the approach that Landis Homes is taking with its Fellowship Days. The Manheim Township senior living community is seeking to raise $200,000 to help provide continued care for residents who have outlived their financial resources.
Landis Homes will conduct its annual Fellowship Days from Monday, Sept. 11, through Saturday, Sept. 16, on its campus at 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz. A variety of activities will be offered each day, all for one good cause.
"We call it 'fill the gap,' or the 'Caring Fund,'" said Janice Nikoloff, Landis Homes' event coordinator. "Benevolent care is very important. Sometimes things get complicated, and resources get tight. I think we'll meet that ($200,000) goal. We bring it up every year. The stakes keep getting higher."
"It's a community event," continued Nikoloff. "To me, fellowship means a time for gathering and sharing time with people you live and work with. It's an opportunity to get to know them better."
Landis Homes Fellowship Days will begin on Monday with an online auction and conclude with an activity-filled day on Saturday. In between, the Landis Homes campus will come alive with hymn sings, a talent show, speakers, food, games, music, entertainment, a harvest day celebration, yard sales, crafts, children's activities and a live quilt auction.
"There's something going on for everyone each day," said Nikoloff. "We hope that it's a very exciting and joyful time for people. It allows residents to meet new people. It's laid back, but it's a fun event. I like changing things up, so people don't get bored."
Nikoloff said that up to 300 individuals could attend each activity. Landis Homes does host other events and fundraisers throughout the year, but none are as complex and involved as Fellowship Days.
This year will mark the 51st edition of Landis Homes Fellowship Days. Originally a one-day event, Landis Homes Fellowship Days has been a weeklong celebration since the onset of the pandemic.
"It's kind of changed and become a weeklong series of things," said Nikoloff. "We're trying to make it something for people to look forward to. There's a lot going on, and people can participate."
"Initially, it was just a gathering," Nikoloff continued. "They started having a chicken barbecue, and then at some point, the auctions were added. About 25 years ago, we started to raise money for the Caring Fund (benevolent care). It's evolved quickly, but always with the idea of fellowship right before the fall comes. I think it's continuing to evolve, and we need to pay attention to what's working."
The founding of Landis Homes in 1964 only predates Fellowship Days by several years. Landis Homes, which offers independent living, assisted living and more personal health care, hosts 850 current residents.
"It started out largely as a place for returning Mennonite missionaires to retire to," said Nikoloff. "It was a much smaller facility, and it kept expanding over the years. I think the initial mission has grown. We're always thinking,'Who are we?'"
For additional information about Landis Homes, go to http://www.landishomes.org.
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