February is known as the month of love. It's a time when we celebrate and remember those we cherish, emphasizing the importance of having someone special in our lives," said Kris Wilson, director of advancement for Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community. "Mt. Hope strives to provide options for families with loved ones who require the holistic services we offer - this is a profound act of care for families."

You can help support the mission of Mt. Hope by purchasing a Sweetheart To-Go Benefit Meal. The sixth annual fundraiser will be held in the parking lot of LCBC, 2392 Mount Joy Road, Manheim, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. The curbside pickup meal will feature Peters' BBQ fire-grilled chicken, gourmet cheese potatoes, saucy baked beans with bacon, applesauce, a dinner roll with butter and a dessert.

"We need the community to help keep the good work going at Mt. Hope," Wilson said, noting that the retirement community has a long-standing commitment of caring for seniors and individuals with disabilities, regardless of their financial circumstances. "The close-knit, professional team at Mt. Hope has a genuine heart for ministry, devoted to serving those who require nursing care due to unexpected life events or who find themselves on limited, fixed incomes. ... It offers a welcoming, home-like Christian environment and provides exceptional nursing care to countless individuals who might otherwise have nowhere to turn."

Many residents at Mt. Hope struggle to afford the cost of care, which creates a gap of more than $150 per day between what they can pay and the actual expenses of their care, Wilson said. Fundraisers like the Sweetheart Meal help to provide financial support to residents.

Located in Rapho Township, Mt. Hope is a 50-bed skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation center that also has independent living cottages on its campus. All care provided at Mt. Hope emphasizes dignity, hope and love for those in need, Wilson stated.

"Many people in Manheim may not know that Mt. Hope has a dedicated five-person therapy department, led by the exceptional Stephanie Book, who serves as the therapy program manager," she said. The community provides a wide range of therapy services, including physical, occupational, speech and restorative therapies. The latter is a nursing initiative designed to implement goals set by therapists, aimed at maintaining residents' current functional abilities and preventing any decline in their functionality.

Resident Dorothy Damon came to Mt. Hope six months ago and needed physical therapy to assist with her daily activities. She found the support and care she needed in her therapists.

"Their positive attitudes and encouragement were as helpful as the physical exercises they helped me with," Damon shared. "I had everything I needed for a smooth and safe transition home. I know I would not have been able to return home without all the support from all the staff at Mt. Hope."

Wilson encourages people to support Mt. Hope through the purchase of a Sweetheart To-Go Benefit Meal. Preorders will be taken for meals and saved under the name provided when ordered. To preorder, call Wilson at 717-682-8026 or email advancement@mthopenazarene.org by Saturday, Feb. 21. Extra meals will be available while supplies last. No handling of money will occur on the day of food pickup. When picking up meals, customers may leave payment in a drop-box in the form of exact change or checks made payable to "Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community."