CarePartners’ volunteers hosted a Drive-Thru Gathering Place to help provide support for caregivers, engagement for care partners (clients) and fun for all during this pandemic. On Wednesday, August 5th, the Gathering Place Care Team® at Friendswood United Methodist Church invited care partners (clients) and caregivers to join them for a “road trip” through their parking lot.
With a theme of “Route 66”, the first stop along the way was in the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois where guests were welcomed with great enthusiasm, conversations that had everyone talking at the same time, and given a bag to carry with them throughout their parking lot journey. Subsequent stops along the route were at a historic Standard Oil Gas Station in Odele, Illinois; the Gateway to the West – St. Louis, MO; the Wind Turbines of Texas in Amarillo; “Takin’ it Easy” in Winslow, AZ; the Painted Desert of AZ; and a final stop on the Red Carpet in Hollywood where the paparazzi were waiting with their cameras.
By the time they reached the end of their journey, their gift bag was full of road snacks and beverages, games to play along their journey and after they returned home, knick-knacks, paddywacks, and a very sincere “We Miss You!” card. Special thanks goes out to Cara Westerman and her trusty sidekick, Lillian Myer for planning and pulling this off – to John Myer for parking his 1935 Deuce Coupe at Stop #1, and for providing live entertainment in Winslow, AZ – to all the volunteers and church staff who joined us to say hello and offer 6’ socially distanced air hugs – and to Friendswood United Methodist Church for giving us permission to play in their parking lot! – Nanci Engle, CarePartners Coordinator.
About CarePartners
Founded in 1986, CarePartners is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization providing high-quality care for older adults and people with dementia, as well as their caregivers. CarePartners bridges the gap between healthcare and social services by offering nationally recognized programs across Greater Houston which support caregivers’ physical and mental health while accommodating their loved ones’ needs, interests, and abilities. Since the agency’s founding in 1986, CarePartners’ volunteers have delivered more than 3 million hours of free care representing $83.7 million.
