San Ramon Valley Church Reaches Out In Love To Area Rehab Center

DANVILLE, CA — As residents of long-term care and nursing facilities continue to struggle with being isolated during the coronavirus pandemic, members of a local church recently sent care packages to a Danville rehabilitation facility to brighten the day of someone who may be struggling with loneliness.

Volunteers at the San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church sent 100 care packages to older adults at the Danville Post-Acute Rehab Center earlier this month to commemorate Valentine’s Day. While COVID-19 restrictions have kept family members and another loved ones from visiting residents at the facility since the pandemic began, the church’s Project Valentine attempted to ease some of that pain.

Senior Pastor Kim Risedorph characterized the mission of the project as a “special delivery filled with love” to reach out to residents at the care facility who may be separated from their loved ones during the pandemic. The care packages were put together by about a dozen volunteers through the church’s Christ Care group and was headed up by church members Shana Carroll and Theresa Omar.

“Our purpose as a church is to live into (the community) and reach out with God’s love,” Risedorph said in a news release about the project. “The goal of this project is to bring that love into the community and to provide church members with a safe way to serve.”

Each of the care packages included a postcard with a Valentine’s Day prayer, lip balm, a beaded, handmade bookmark made by adult volunteers and children from the church along with a note meant to encourage residents of the facility. Half of the care packages also included handmade sun catchers, which were included for residents who live in independent living units that include a window. Some of the care packages also included gluten-free or sugar-free snacks depending on dietary restrictions of residents.

Project Valentine was the latest community project the congregation has taken on since the pandemic began. The 300-member church which serves the Alamo, Walnut Creek and Danville communities has also hosted appointment-only playground access for local families and has also partnered with Danville-area residents to deliver more than 800 lunches to first responders, older adults and healthcare workers.