Service Project #1: Love From a Distance

Background: An estimated 60% of seniors in long-term care facilities don’t receive visitors. This was before the coronavirus outbreak. Now, during the outbreak, most facilities are on lockdown and not allowing any visitors. Additionally, many of the in-facility social activities have been barred due to social distancing measures. A population that already often felt isolated in the past, now feels even more so. Therefore, we wanted to find a way to continue to reach our friends in retirement communities and long-term care facilities from home, to send words of encouragement and love, all while keeping them safe. Here are a couple of opportunities:

Project 1a) Send video messages of support to residents of the Lebanon Veterans Home. The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is collecting video clips, which can be shown on the closed-circuit TV in the facility. Learn more here. Here’s what they have requested:

1. Film 30-45 seconds of positive videos with big smiles and clear voices offering messages of support, encouragement and hope. These can be done on a cell phone and do not require any production.

2. Submit your videos to: odvainformation@odva.state.or.us

3. View ours below!

Project 1b) #LoveFromADistance The Oregon Long Term Care Ombudsman Office is asking the community to offer their residents words of encouragement and to let them know we're thinking about them.

1. Print out a #LoveFromADistance flyer

2. Write a message.

3. Take a picture of your completed flyer.

4. Post it to their Facebook page.

Supplemental Service Project Ideas:

1. The Eugene Mission is asking for paper plates/cups/spoons donations. They are using disposable dinnerwares in an effort to be more sanitary.

2. Food donation is significantly down during this time. Consider donating food items to a local organization.

   1. FOOD for Lane County (they have drop of sites at most Goodwills as well as their warehouse. For a full list of drop-off locations click here: https://foodforlanecounty.org/donate/donate-food/

   2. Eugene Mission is also asking for food donations, specifically pastas, pasta sauces, and cooking oil. See this link for details https://eugenemission.org/ways-to-give/donate-items/

   3. Many Eugene schools are collecting food items for those facing food insecurity. Check with your local school for specifics.

3. Call and/or video conference with friends and family members.

4. Make cards to mail to those you love but can’t see in person.

5. Think about classmates who are only children or who might be lonely and mail them a card or set up a video chat.

6. Call and check on a grandparent or other senior.

7. Call and check on your neighbors and offer to pick up items at the store (which you can drop off on their porch).

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