For Charlene Petragallo and the Crystal Card Project volunteers, a simple greeting card can become something much more than paper and ink. With creativity, dedication, and a passion for helping others, she has transformed used greeting cards into a source of hope for survivors of domestic violence served through My Sisters’ Place, Catholic Charities’ domestic violence shelter.
Since partnering with My Sisters’ Place in 2017, Charlene and the volunteers of the Crystal Card Project have raised more than $140,000 to support women and families seeking safety, stability and a fresh start.
A Creative Way to Support My Sisters’ Place
The Crystal Card Project began in 2016 when Charlene Petragallo joined Kathy Skrei and Bobbie Reed to launch a grassroots fundraising effort in Sun Lakes, Arizona.
The idea was inspired by a similar project that supported a domestic violence shelter in Illinois. Charlene saw an opportunity to create something meaningful locally by collecting used greeting cards, repurposing them into handcrafted cards, and selling them for $1 each to benefit a charitable cause.
The group selected My Sisters’ Place, Catholic Charities’ domestic violence shelter, as the recipient of the proceeds.
Initially, the founders hoped to raise $5,000 annually. They quickly discovered that the Sun Lakes community shared their enthusiasm for the project.
"We were hoping to raise $5,000 for the shelter," Charlene recalled. Instead, demand for the cards continued to grow year after year, creating a sustainable source of support for survivors of domestic violence.
Building Community Through Volunteer Service
While fundraising remains at the heart of the Crystal Card Project, Charlene has seen the initiative become something even bigger. The project brings together volunteers from across the Sun Lakes community who donate their time and talents to create the cards. What begins as a stack of used greeting cards becomes an opportunity for friendship, creativity, and service.
The project has also benefited residents of nearby assisted living and memory care communities. Many residents who are unable to travel far enjoy purchasing affordable, handcrafted cards while supporting a meaningful cause.
Through Charlene's leadership, the Crystal Card Project has become a community effort that connects people of all ages around a shared mission of helping others.
Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in Arizona
For nearly a decade, Charlene and the Crystal Card Project volunteers have remained committed to supporting the mission of My Sisters’ Place.
My Sisters’ Place provides emergency shelter, advocacy, safety planning, and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and their children. The program helps individuals and families find safety while building a path toward long-term independence and healing.
Every card purchased helps support that mission. Charlene has witnessed the impact of the partnership over the years and remains grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the work being done through Catholic Charities.
Small Acts of Kindness Create Lasting Impact
Charlene is quick to point out that the Crystal Card Project's success is not the work of one person alone.
The project depends on community members who donate used greeting cards, volunteers who transform them into new creations, and customers who faithfully purchase the finished products. Together, they have shown how small acts of kindness can add up to something extraordinary. A donated card and a few hours of a volunteer’s time can turn into a dollar for My Sisters’ Place. Those simple acts have helped provide critical support for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
Catholic Charities is grateful for Charlene's leadership and the ongoing dedication of the Crystal Card Project volunteers. The generosity of the Sun Lakes community shows the difference that committed supporters can make in the lives of vulnerable individuals and families.
Through their efforts, thousands of repurposed greeting cards have become symbols of hope, healing, and new beginnings for those served by My Sisters’ Place.
