For some of the residents of Solaris, Easter Day isn’t quite as festive as it was in their younger years.
Family and friends may have died or moved far away, children are grown and have their own celebrations or the ability to get out and take part in activities aren’t physically possible anymore.
But this Easter, Plant City’s First Presbyterian Church hopped in to help make the 175 residents of Solaris HealthCare Plant City’s Easter Day a bit more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Solaris, 701 N. Wilder Road, is a Ft. Lauderdale-based short-term rehabilitation and long-term care skilled-nursing and assisted living facility.
First Presbyterian Pastor David Delph and church members Lynn Helms and Peggy Richter met with Solaris’ Activities Director Sherrie Sweatt on March 28 to deliver the baskets.
First Presbyterian Church members made 180 baskets and each of them contained a hand-drawn cardboard Easter rabbit, a cookie, candy, a small cross and a cross necklace.
On each one was typed the Bible verse Matthew 28:6: “He is not here, he has risen, just as he said,” relating to Jesus’ resurrection.
Helms said in all, about 30 members of First Presbyterian’s congregation helped assemble the gift baskets. She said some First Presbyterian congregation members visit Solaris at least once a month to interact with residents, however, the day the baskets were delivered to the home, guests weren’t permitted into the facility due to a recent outbreak of covid.
“We really like Solaris; we think they’re a great organization and we support them in any ways we can,” said Helms, a First Presbyterian member for about 20 years. “They’re one of our community partners.”
Delph, in his 20th year as First Presbyterian, said his church has always looked for ways to partner within the Plant City community.
“This just another opportunity to fill the void and give them a sense of community,” he said. “We’re doing what the Lord calls us to do about reaching out. This helps fulfill our ability to serve Jesus by serving others.”
The small Easter gifts were paid for through church donations.
Easter Sunday, Solaris Activities Director Sherrie Sweatt and other staff members handed the handmade Easter baskets out to residents.
Helms said some of the other First Presbyterian outreach endeavors include: involvement with Operation Christmas Child, an International program which collects shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for children in need; donating resources and time to the church’s Learning Center; and buying breakfast for teachers at Burney Elementary School.