After Don Good passed away in December, his four children described their father as having lived a life of "calling, connection, commitment and caring." Good, a farmer and pastor, spent his last days living at Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community in Manheim, where the staff gave back to the man who had been instrumental in volunteering with the facility's capital campaign to raise money for renovations. "Mt. Hope cared for Don, opening a space for his family to tenderly sit by his bedside, holding his hand, sharing memories, loving him and releasing him to heaven," said Kris Wilson, director of advancement for Mt. Hope.

Stories like Don's are not unique at Mt. Hope, where residents are treated with love and care regardless of their changing circumstances and life situations. You can support the mission of Mt. Hope by participating in the Sweetheart To-Go Banquet, with proceeds to benefit the Mt. Hope community. The meal will be offered for curbside pickup on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of LCBC - Manheim Campus, 2392 Mount Joy Road, Manheim. Each meal will include barbecue fire-grilled chicken, gourmet cheese potatoes, sweet and sour saucy green beans with bacon, applesauce, a dinner roll with butter and a dessert.

Mt. Hope is a 50-bed nonprofit skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation center with a mission of caring for residents regardless of their ability to pay. "It's a sweet place in our community that ensures our residents have a place to call home when situations arise where care is needed," Wilson said. "Many of our residents lack the financial resources to cover the cost of their care, and the gap is growing in what residents can afford to pay versus what state assistance, Medicaid, reimburses for the daily rate of care." Donations and tickets to dinners such as the Sweetheart To-Go Banquet help to fill that gap, she stated, adding, "It's the heartfelt gifts that keep Mt. Hope going and able to provide a wonderful place for people."

Preorders will be taken for meals and saved under the name provided when ordered. To preorder or for more information, call Wilson at 717-682-8026 or email advancement@mthopenazarene.org by Monday, Feb. 20. Extra meals will be available on-site 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." The cost of the meal is $17.