When Raquel Shoch took a card-making class offered by Totally 4 Troops (T4T), she had so much fun she decided to bring the concept to work.

Shoch - an alumnus of Carter Lake Elementary on McChord Field - is also the school's behavioral health social worker and a Madigan Healthcare System employee.

"When T4T agreed to offer the craft club I was so thrilled," said Shoch, who is a military brat, former military spouse and has two brothers currently serving in the Air Force. "It's fun for the kids. It's also a great way for them to give back to their families, to our troops, and to teach them community service early on."

T4T is a national nonprofit organization that works with volunteers to make and send blank greeting cards to deployed troops. Its founder is former military spouse and retired JBLM Army Maj. Dianna Putnam. She and volunteer Lynn Pistacchio recently began hosting the free after-school program for 21 fourth- and fifth-graders at Carter Lake - the first of its kind on JBLM. T4T also supplied all the materials and know-how at no cost.

"It's the most fun thing I've done after school," said Ayani Dubose, a fourth-grader who loves her T4T volunteers. "I appreciate them," she said. "I like when people do nice things when they don't have to." In fact, as class commenced, she asked her peers, "How many people think Ms. Dianna and Ms. Lynn are awesome?" Cheers echoed loudly in the cafeteria.

Dubose's best friend, Nanako Carney, was sad class was ending.

"I love it," said the fourth-grader. "It's so cool and I'm going to miss it."

"The kids have built their techniques over the school term," Shoch said. "This is our last session before summer, and they're creating their own personal albums to take home. They've also sent 138 cards to troops in Afghanistan."

Since its inception in Gig Harbor in 2007, T4T has sent more than 100,000 all-occasion and seasonal cards to units in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait, and it is the "card-sponsor" for JBLM's 2nd and 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCT).

"For Soldiers, cards provide a small, personal way for them to stay in touch," said Putnam, a 21-year veteran, "and as a spouse, time stands still when you receive one."

"Knowing your spouse touched the same card," said Pistacchio, whose husband is a 20-year Army veteran, "makes that connection so much stronger. And, knowing it was made by military kids - there aren't words to describe that feeling."

For information on T4T, or to donate and volunteer please visit www.totally4troops.org.