“Who would have thought making greeting cards could raise morethan $12,000 in four years?” says Major Lisa Trickett, corps officer at Penticton Community Church, B.C., and an avid crafter.

For 23 years, Major Trickett has collected die cuts, stamps and other crafting materials for her hobby. Today, she runs a popular card-making class at the church where her personal collection has become a library for others to enjoy as they create something special together.

A Creative Connection

The class is open to everybody in the church and community, and has grown to 37 regular attendees. For just four dollars, participants can create a card using all the materials provided.

“Not everybody has the money to buy all these supplies,” says Major Trickett. “So, we provide everything. And if they don’t know how, we’ll show them card-making 101.”

With a large senior population in Penticton, many participants are looking for companionship in a safe, welcoming space. “Some have lost a loved one or are experiencing health concerns, and some just feel lonely and want company,” says Major Trickett. “Creating is so healing, and when they leave, they feel accomplished because they’ve made something.”

One participant, Evelyn, proudly sends photos to her adult children each time she finishes a new card, and they’re always impressed. Another member of the group, Elaine, has been involved for three years. Having just moved to Penticton, she was looking for a scrapbooking or crafting group to connect with and was thrilled to find one offered by The Salvation Army. “The rest is history,” says Elaine. 

“It’s a safe spot for all who attend. The group is varied—one time there were ladies from five different churches,” she says. “It is an atmosphere of fun and fellowship, and now I have friends with similar interests who have also been there to support me emotionally and spiritually."

Each of the participants—mostly women—comes into the class carrying a range of emotions: joy, sadness, grief, loneliness. But the card-making class has given them a place to work through their feelings with creativity and fellowship.

The class also attracts interest from a lot of youth at the corps who are seeking a creative outlet. “I’ve watched some of them go from middle school to high school, and to my surprise, they keep coming around. They even bring friends,” says Major Trickett. “We’re planting seeds. Even people who aren’t of faith are connecting with us.”

Finding Encouragement

The card-making group also builds a bridge between the community and the church.

“A lot of people come to me and say, ‘I’m not a Christian,’ or ‘I don’t believe in God,’ and I say, ‘You don’t have to be,’ ” says Major Trickett. “We do everything in the foyer, so it’s a non-threatening space. When you come through the doors, everybody knows your name and greets you. It’s a beautiful community.”

Each class comes with time for coffee, tea and friendly conversation, and everyone takes turns baking and bringing in treats to share.

In 2025, the group chose to focus on a guiding theme of “encouragement.”

“We felt God was telling us that through these cards, we are helping people feel special and not forgotten,” says MajorTrickett. “Our community needs to hear ‘I see you. I believe in you. I appreciate your time, your energy and your efforts.’ ”

Participants are encouraged to give a card to someone in their community who needs to hear something positive. “There’s a lot of negativity out there,” says Major Trickett. “What if we’re able to be a source of light in that negativity?”

For a Greater Cause

At Christmas, the group assembles about 300 card-making kits, each sold for four dollars, with three dollars going toward The Salvation Army’s Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program. Over the past four years, they have raised more than $2,500 for villages in the Caribbean, supporting needs such as infrastructure, clothing and schooling.

Another key partnership is with Carl’s Flowers, a local florist that sells the handmade cards in their shop. Proceeds support Salvation Army women’s ministries in Penticton. Since 2021, this partnership has helped raise more than $12,000.

To Make Something Beautiful 

Some participants come to the class for the crafts, and others come to laugh, cry or simply find peace in the church. One woman begins each session by sitting in the sanctuary and playing the piano for half an hour before joining the group to make her card.

“The Lord really knew what he was doing when he created everything around us—it’s all so beautiful,” says MajorTrickett. “Like him, we want to create beautiful things for others.”

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