A pattern began to emerge when regular patrons of the computer lab at Peace Village in Palos Park began making greeting cards: the overwhelming majority were birthday cards. It’s not much of a mystery why that would be the case, as one of those patrons pointed out.
“Birthday cards are a big deal at Peace Village. The residents send each other birthday cards,” said Colette Zogg, who’s in her 90s. The weekly newsletter for the senior complex, Village Voice, plays a role in that activity. “You know who’s birthday it is every month because it’s in the Voice,” she added.
Debi Pope, who has been teaching computer classes at Peace Village as a volunteer for 26 years, said the small group of women, most in their 90s, have been working on the cards since May. They create a few each week and then make 10 copies of each.
“They really did this themselves. I came up with the idea (for the sale) because they were making them all the time so I thought they could sell them,” she said. “We hope 100 people come to the sale because about 200 residents live there.”
The sale, set for noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 26, will be in the Showcase Lounge at Peace Village, 10300 Village Circle Drive. Cards will be sold for $1 for two, cash only. Everyone is welcome.
“They’ve taken this on like their own project,” Pope explained. “They are the ones making the plans, making the decisions, coming up with the kinds of cards to sell. Everything they have done has been their planning. I just had the original idea and they’ve just taken it and run with it.”
Of the 70 choices, some are designed for men or women, some are funny, some are for children, some are for a belated birthday and some are seasonal. “If your birthday is in the winter, we have winter scenes,” Pope explained.
“They were always making the cards for themselves, so they made them personal. They wanted to make more but they didn’t have enough people to make them for,” she said.
Although none of the women had experience with graphic arts, they’ve learned how to use Print Shop, which provides a basic layout they alter depending on what free clip art images they want to include or the wording they come up with.
“It’s a program the village library has,” Pope explained. “Fields are set up to add type. They can move them around. They get images online and adjust the art.”
Rose Kirk said it’s fun to make the cards. “This keeps us young. It’s a thinking process.” She also likes to give them. “It’s a personal thing we do with our friends that are old and new. I make them for my grandkids. They keep all of them.”
Zogg called it “very creative because we find the pictures and images on the computer and then we have to make up the words.”
“I think it makes you feel useful (to write the cards) when you make something happen,” said Carole Landow, the oldest member of the group at 104.
It’s also a very social activity. “If you were here, you’d hear people laughing,” said Colleen Szpytek, adding that the cards are economical. “They’re made with love and don’t cost $5.99 like at Jewel or Walgreens. You can buy them and send them to other residents.”
She also pointed out that the sale will be “convenient” for residents, and Kirk added that “it’s reasonable and a good cause.”
Other computer lab patrons helping at the sale will be Sara Pulson, who was in charge of organizing the cards and who will bag them, and Patty Oakley.
Proceeds will go to Lora’s Fund, which provides “subsidized care to its residents who need financial assistance as their circumstances change or their quality of life extends their life beyond their resources, allowing them to remain in the warm, loving community they call home for as long as possible,” according to the facility’s website. It’s named after Lora Contorno, a 10-year staff member passionate about her job who died of cancer in 2017.
“By making and selling cards, the residents at Peace Village are using their creativity to support one another,” said Kim Karwacki, director of fund development and volunteer services. “It’s heartwarming to see the residents give back in a way that makes a difference in the lives of their fellow residents.”
Pope said Peace Village staff welcome the project. “They think they are the cutest and funniest cards and are very impressed,” she said. “They can’t believe that they are so well done.”
If the sale goes well, the group likely will branch out to create other types of cards such as sympathy cards, thank-you notes and thinking of you cards.
“These people are such givers. They want to do something for Lora’s fund and want to do new things and challenge themselves,” Pope shared. “It’s like they are middle-aged. That’s how they live their life. They are so organized. They are inspiring – their attitude is so positive to learn something to help somebody else.”
Melinda Moore is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
