The Crystal Card Project is a community effort

Bobbie Reed

Community volunteers are the success story. So many have contributed over the past two years to make The Crystal Card Project a success – donating cards, buying cards and making cards.

Residents of the Renaissance were first introduced to Crystal Cards at a sales event held in the lobby. They were very impressed with the quality of the newly-minted greeting cards that are created by recycling parts of old cards otherwise destined for the trash. And they loved the idea of using the proceeds from sales to support such a deserving charity – a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

So, they asked if they could help. And now they do. A monthly work session is held at the Renaissance where volunteers help get cards and envelopes ready for upcoming sales events.

Gloria Tonkinson, who coordinates the work sessions at the Renaissance, stated “It’s great to see the enthusiasm these helpers bring to this worthwhile project.”

You can join our neighbors by volunteering, too.

Help make cards – August 15 and 22. No experience is necessary. There are lots of tasks to convert donated cards into beautiful new cards. And the card-making sessions are a fun activity, sharing the work with other volunteers. Work sessions will be held at Cottonwood in the Ceramics Room A-8 on the third and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. Stop by for part of the time or the entire session. You can just show up. No advance notice.is necessary.

Buy cards – August 14. Cards sales will be held in the Renaissance lobby August 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Donate cards. Donate used cards – entire cards so we have the inside message as well as the front. Donation bins are in each of the five Sun Lakes clubhouses. You can also bring donated cards to any work session or sales event.

Check our website, www.thecrystalcardproject.org, or our Facebook page for a full calendar of events as well as other information about this project which, in its first two years, has raised over $10,000 to support programs at My Sister’s Place, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.