The Perry Lutheran Homes hosted an invite-only celebration Thursday evening at Hotel Pattee, as a way to honor elders in the community, discuss their programs, and reveal their rebranded image and new focus.

When attendees RSVP’d, they were asked if they had a song with special meaning to them. Organizers including Marketing Director Mollie Clark then compiled the songs into a special playlist played throughout the evening. Clark said they had nearly two hours of music, with nearly everyone choosing a different song. The event began with opening remarks from PLH Board Chairman Curtis Carlson, followed by a free dinner catered by the hotel.

Following dinner, Reverend Max Phillips, CEO of Perry Lutheran Homes, kicked off the special program. The first speaker was Administrator Melissa Gannon, who talked about the Music and Memory program and showed an example of how it’s been beneficial to residents. Phillips then announced the recipients of the inaugural StepUp! Service Award and Exemplar Award, which were Karen Menz and Julius Little, respectively. Phillips and Carlson then revealed the Perry Lutheran Homes’ new logo, and outlined the StepUp! initiative, which stands for “Serving Together our Elders in Perry.”

Carlson said the celebration event was the first of many events aimed at getting the Perry community more involved with their mission, and they hope to make it an annual occasion.