Amazing, Grateful, and Awesome

Awesome Application

Project Title:
“Gratitude Baskets for Caregivers”


1. What is the project or initiative you are seeking funding for?

I’m seeking funding to launch the “Gratitude Basket Project,” an initiative dedicated to honoring nursing assistants, rehab therapists, and other care staff in skilled nursing facilities. Inspired by my mother’s recovery journey in such a facility over the last 2 years, this project will offer monthly baskets filled with home-baked goods, handwritten notes, and culturally diverse food items as an ongoing expression of gratitude. These frontline workers are often unsung heroes, providing essential, hands-on care to patients who are bedbound or have physical and neurological disabilities. Through this project, I aim to shine a light on the incredible work these caregivers do daily and share the transformative power of gratitude within care environments.

Additionally, I plan to document this journey to inspire others to recognize, support, and give back to caregivers in their communities. Drawing from my previous work leading The Caring Clinic, a weekly service that provided remote healing support, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful recognition can uplift caregivers. With Gratitude Baskets for Caregivers, I hope to extend this spirit of healing and gratitude to those who give so much of themselves to others.

Check out my 3-minute video here: http://www.thesacredyes.com/awesome.html


2. How will the funds be used to further your project?

The $1,000 grant will cover key startup costs for the Gratitude Basket Project, including quality ingredients, baking supplies, packaging, and personalized stationery for notes. Funds will also support culturally significant foods, like Filipino and Mexican treats, honoring diverse caregivers like Claudia, my mom’s favorite nursing assistant. Additionally, it will fund social media content to share the project’s impact, inspiring others to join or replicate this model of caregiver appreciation.


3. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a Certified Neuroscience Coach, yoga teacher, and caregiver, inspired by my family’s Filipino cooking traditions. After my mom’s brain tumor diagnosis, I became her full-time caregiver, supporting her and other relatives through serious illnesses. Cooking became my therapy and led to the Gratitude Baskets project. These handmade gifts honor caregivers like nurses with culturally diverse treats and notes of thanks, fostering community, connection, and appreciation for their hard work.



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​4. How will this project positively impact others?

The Gratitude Basket Project will create a ripple effect of positivity and a shift in cultural values. It will begin with nursing assistants and caregivers to foster a sense of being recognized and appreciated, enhancing their morale and motivation. As these caregivers experience acknowledgment, it’s likely to inspire even more compassionate care for their patients. Documenting and sharing the journey online will further amplify this impact, encouraging other families and communities to show gratitude for caregivers and fostering a culture of appreciation.

The project also highlights the emotional and mental health benefits of giving back, which are especially vital for caregivers who often endure emotional exhaustion. By extending the spirit of healing and gratitude, this project will bring attention to the societal need for caregiver support, focusing on those who care for our most vulnerable: the sick, wounded, elderly, and disabled.


5. How do you plan to measure the success of your project?

Success will be measured in three ways:
1. Caregiver feedback and engagement – gauging how the baskets are received and their ongoing interaction with the project.
2. Online reach and engagement – tracking metrics on social media such as shares, comments, follower growth, and the number of individuals or groups inspired to replicate the project.
3. Personal and family impact – assessing the emotional upliftment it brings to my mother, our family, and the caregivers. These qualitative and quantitative measures will help guide the project’s growth, ultimately aiming for a model that can be sustained and scaled within our community and beyond.

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