Volunteer Spotlight: Pat

Crafting Community Through Cards

Written by Lyra Brown

July 26, 2025

When Pat Chmilar first reached out to Cards for Care, it wasn’t just to drop off a few cards; it was to offer a community. A longtime volunteer and passionate card maker, Pat had been searching for a new home for the creative crew of retired women she had been gathering for years. That search led her to us, and we’re so glad it did.

Pat’s journey into card making began in 2019 with the Christmas Bureau. At that time, volunteers created cards individually in their own homes. Even when the world shut down, their spirit stayed open. By 2022, as pandemic restrictions eased, the Christmas Bureau provided a boardroom. Pat then rallied a large group of her creative friends to meet regularly and make cards together in person.

Pat Chmilar and her fur grandbabies, Maia and Ellie.

Since then, her card-making sessions have supported several organizations. She began with the Christmas Bureau, then moved on to WIN House, and now brings her talents to Cards for Care. When the previous initiatives ended, Pat took it upon herself to keep the group together.

 “Even though we haven’t made cards for an organization since January,” she said, “we continue to get together once a month to visit and socialize. Some of us even continue to make cards, not knowing where they’ll end up.”

That changed this summer. Through a mutual connection, Pat discovered Cards for Care and reached out to Brendan, our founder. With one message, a new partnership bloomed. Suddenly, her group had a renewed purpose and fresh energy to create cards for children, seniors, and healthcare workers, helping uplift others through Brendan’s vision.

So, what’s it like when these women gather?

“Oh my gosh, we have so much fun together. Lots of laughing and socializing while we design and make the cards.”

The group may be comprised of retirees, but they come from diverse backgrounds.

“We all come from different walks of life,” Pat said. “A social worker, an income tax auditor, a nurse, an IT expert, and more.”

Their creative energy is contagious. After years of strictly making Christmas cards, the group is now excited to explore a wide range of designs and messages. Whether it’s a cheerful illustration or a heartfelt note, their cards are crafted with intention, and it shows.

Though their partnership with Cards for Care has only just begun, Pat already knows the power these handmade cards can hold.

“We got some amazing feedback from the Christmas Bureau,” she shared. “It was heartwarming to hear how grateful people were to receive a card. I assume the recipients of our cards now will feel just as touched.”

But beyond the impact on recipients, Pat’s work has had a lasting effect on the group itself.

“The friendships that have come out of this group of gals, honestly, that’s what keeps me motivated.”

Her message for anyone considering volunteering?

“DO IT!!”