Cards for Care Brings Creativity and Community Together at Malmo Plains

Written by Lyra Brown

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025

EDMONTON — On Friday night, the Malmo Plains Community League Hall filled with the sound of scissors snipping, stamps pressing, and glitter shaking as more than 50 people gathered to make handmade cards for patients and healthcare staff. At the craft tables, volunteers and executive members Carmen and Pat added a sweet touch with homemade baked goods, enhancing the community feel while keeping the focus on creativity.

“It is fantastic. I’m super glad to have the whole crew here today,” said founder Brendan McFatridge, a pre-med student. He explained that Malmo Plains was chosen because of its strong community league and welcoming space for local events.

Cards for Care founder Brendan McFatridge shares a moment of joy with his partner, Liam Montpetit, during the Malmo Plains community event.

The gathering marked the first time all six executive members of the nonprofit Cards for Care worked side by side in person. VP Donations Carmen Pare Baird guided volunteers through stamping techniques, while VP Volunteers Pat Chmilar set up pre-made card kits that quickly became a hit. VP Outreach Susan Huseynova and VP Fundraising Phoebe Qin greeted participants, underscoring the collaborative energy of the night.

Community leaders said the event highlighted what neighbourhood leagues can offer. “The purpose of community leagues is to bring together people in a geographical area to create community for the benefit of all members,” said C-Anne Robertson, president of the Malmo Plains Community League.

More than 50 people fill the Malmo Plains Community League for the Cards for Care event, where they create cards for patients and staff.

For many volunteers, the card-making was a personal experience. Neetu Masih shared her story of growing up at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. At the same time, her sister recovered from a serious accident. “People would do this for us — they would make quilts and cards. It felt like we were seen and loved by the community,” she said. “Now, 20 years later, it’s our time to give back.”

Neetu Masih’s family shares a moment of joy while making cards at the Malmo Plains event, giving back to the community that once supported them.

Others reflected on the joy of the creative process. “It was very fun just getting your creative side out and writing cards to make people feel better about their day,” said volunteer Chetan Brar. His peers Mithara and Sethuni Urala Gamage agreed, pointing out their favourite designs: floral thank-you notes and a birthday card featuring bears.

Huseynova emphasized why gatherings like this matter: “Right now, especially considering the politics of everything, a lot of us are really divided. But at events like this, regardless of age or background, we come together to support sick kids in our community.”

The Cards for Care team — Carmen, Lyra, Brendan, Phoebe, and Susan — together for the first time at the Malmo Plains community event, a night that captured the heart of what Cards for Care is all about.

From glitter-covered creations to handwritten notes, the evening showed how even small handmade gestures can spark profound care and connection. As Qin put it, “It really shows the fun in volunteering, and hopefully inspires people to keep giving their time.”