Residents and staff at Friendship Village of Schaumburg wrote out and signed 400 holiday cards to be sent to U.S. troops in time for Christmas. The cards, along with candy canes, will be distributed through Packages for Patriots. The non-profit organizes and sends care packages to U.S. troops. In addition to greeting cards, 500 rosaries were handmade at Friendship Village, and sent to troops. The rosaries were all specially created in black and brown so as not to be picked up by enemy radar. “Volunteer work is an integral part of the lives of our residents, as they’re always so eager to give back. Last year alone, our residents volunteered a total of more than 7,400 hours,” said Jeannette Magdaleno, manager of lifelong learning and volunteer services at Friendship Village. “Particularly at this time of the year, our brave military men and women are so much in our thought and prayers.”