Maidy Horst, Foundation Grant Coordinator

A grant check for $2,000 was accepted by The Crystal Card Project President Charlene Petragallo. The grant will be used to cover the cost of additional supplies, materials, and equipment needed to make the Crystal Cards, which is estimated to be about 25 cents per card. That means for each one dollar donated, they can generate four dollars’ worth of cards, so this donation of $2,000 will translate into $8,000 worth of card sales in our Sun Lakes communities, all of which is donated to My Sister’s Place.

Many local Sun Lakes volunteers are involved by donating their time and their old cards, by gathering together to help make new cards, by selling the cards, and by disseminating them to their relatives, friends, and acquaintances for birthdays and other special occasions.

Crystal Cards are available through Home Delivery. The Crystal Cards Project can deliver an assortment of greeting cards directly to your Sun Lakes or SunBird home. You send an email to [email protected] that includes your name, home address (including community name), phone number, and the kinds of cards you want (get well, birthday, thinking of you, anniversary, sympathy, etc., or an assortment of all types). A volunteer arranges to deliver a box to your house. At your convenience, you look through the cards and pick the ones you want. Cards are $1 each. You can pay with cash or by a check made out to The Crystal Card Project. Place the payment for the cards you have chosen inside the box along with the cards to be returned. Then call the volunteer whose phone number is on the box to arrange for pickup. Starting in the Fall of 2022, Crystal Card sales will be held in all three Sun Lakes Communities (Sun Lakes Country Club, Cottonwood Palo Verde, and IronOaks). Specific locations, dates, and times will be publicized to Sun Lakes residents by September.

All (100%) of card sales is donated to My Sister’s Place, which serves victims of domestic violence and abuse and is one of only two confidential domestic violence shelters in the East Valley. Victims are provided with a private and comforting environment for their safety and recovery. The shelter serves individuals of all ages as well as parents with children. My Sister’s Place provides safety planning, case management, and skill/resource building to empower clients to advocate for themselves and truly make a permanent change to their situations. The program also assists with aftercare planning, employment, information, and referral to transitional programs, affordable housing, furniture, food, and other items.

The Greater Sun Lakes Community Foundation has been established to enhance the quality of life for the older population in the East Valley, including Sun Lakes residents, in the areas of health, education, and culture. The Foundation gives grants to local nonprofits to enhance their work in all our Sun Lakes communities. To apply, go to slcommunityfoundation.com.