Volunteer Highlights and New Partnerships

Welcome to the Cards for Care YEG community! Thank you for showing interest in our organization dedicated to brightening the days of hospital patients, seniors in long-term care, and medical staff through handwritten cards. In this month's newsletter, we’ll be sharing updates on our current programs, exciting developments of the organization, and meaningful ways of getting involved. 

Cards for Care was founded in November of 2023 by Brendan McFatridge, a then high school student with a heartfelt mission to provide comfort and care to seniors in homes. What began as a small act of kindness quickly evolved into an established and formal initiative, exponentially growing in the last year. C4C has amassed thousands of donated cards, secured multiple official sponsors and partnerships, and expanded its management team with three new passionate members.

We are thrilled to announce that Cards for Care YEG is an official partner of the Ronald McDonald House Charities! By July, a homemade card (donated by you) will be in each of the Welcome Kits provided to new families moving into the Edmonton house. Each welcome package includes toiletries, a toy, some snacks, and now—a handmade card from a Cards for Care volunteer. These cards are designed to offer comfort to anyone staying at the house—whether that’s a child receiving treatment, a parent navigating long days at the hospital, or a family member holding everything together. Cards for Care is grateful for the opportunity to greet families and offer words of comfort. 

Additionally, we are excited to share that we have launched our Healthcare Appreciation Program in partnership with the Stollery Children’s Hospital! As part of this initiative, a card bin has been placed in the hospital's Family Room, where our team will regularly take inventory and restock donated cards as needed. These cards will be available for patients and their families to write in and give to their medical staff– thanking them for their endless work during extended hospital visits. 

With these exciting partnerships comes a growing need for support. To keep up with the high demand, we’re calling on you and your community to help. Whether it's a heartfelt message or an original drawing on a handmade card, you can make a difference. Your contribution can bring hope, warmth and strength to families facing incredibly difficult times. Together, we can spread kindness and remind them that they are not alone. 

As a fast growing initiative, Cards for Care YEG is always looking for more committed volunteers dedicated to our cause. 

• Just interested in sharing your artistic abilities? No problem. If you would like to donate any number of handmade cards, please reach out to cardsforyeg@gmail.com for drop off/pick up details. 

  • Regarding how to write a card, please visit our website at cardsforcareyeg.ca for guidelines. 

• Each donated card is equivalent to 30 minutes of volunteer time. To get started with tracking your hours, visit cardsforcareyeg.ca or use this link to apply as a volunteer. A timesheet will be sent to you to begin tracking your work! 

  • If you would like to be even more involved with the initiative of Cards for Care, please apply for other positions offered on the same form. Our team is grateful for all the help we can get!

• If you would like to become an official partner, sponsor, or monetary donor of Cards for Care YEG, please email Brendan at cardsforcareyeg@gmail.com. 

These accomplishments could not be done without your support of our organization. At Cards for Care Edmonton, we know that small gestures can make the biggest of differences in the wellbeing of patients and healthcare professionals. Thank you for being a part of our mission thus far, and we can't wait for our next blog post where we will be interviewing some of the seniors at Rivercrest Nursing Home who receive your cards!

Thanks for reading!

Written by:

Susan Huseynova

VP Outreach