Capstone Introduction

The "Thank You Baskets for Frontline Nurses" capstone project aimed to show appreciation to frontline nurses for their dedication and selfless service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project was initiated by a team of two students from Bishop Verot High School who recognized the importance of recognizing the efforts of frontline workers in their community. The following sections provide a detailed account of the project's background, fundraising efforts, "Thank You" baskets, impact, and conclusion.

Project Background

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on healthcare systems around the world, with frontline workers such as nurses playing a critical role in managing the spread of the virus. These healthcare heroes worked tirelessly to provide care to those affected by the pandemic, often putting their own lives on the line to do so. The "Thank You Baskets for Frontline Nurses" project sought to express gratitude to these healthcare heroes by creating gift baskets filled with items to help them relax and unwind after a long day at work.

To successfully complete this project, the team took the following steps:

  • Developed a Plan: The team brainstormed many service opportunities, and developed a plan for their project. This plan included a timeline, a list of resources, and a clear outline of the project's goals and objectives.
  • Conducted Research: Next, the team conducted research on their topic. This involved reviewing academic articles on the impact of covid on frontline workers, conducting interviews with healthcare professionals to better understand the struggles and needs related to work demands during covid, identifying the group of frontline workers in which to honor.
  • Created a Proposal: Based on their research, the team created a proposal for their capstone project. This proposal outlined the project's goals, objectives, methods, and expected outcomes.
  • Executed the Project: Once the project proposal was approved, the team began executing multiple steps of their project. This required organizing a fundraising event, creating the "thank you" baskets, and organizing the presentation of the gift baskets to a critical care nursing unit.

Fundraising Efforts

To raise funds for the project, the team organized a carwash event in their community.

Planning The Fundraiser

To raise funds for the project, the team organized a carwash event at Edison Restaurant, Bar & Banquet Center, an area golf club. They set a date and time for the event, identified a suitable location, and made arrangements for necessary supplies such as soap, buckets, and hoses. They promoted the event through social media, flyers, and word of mouth.

Recruiting Volunteers

To ensure the success of the carwash event, the team recruited student volunteers from to help with the event. The team's plan included a recruitment strategy that involved reaching out to fellow Bishop Verot students, posting flyers around the school and community, and utilizing social media platforms to promote the event. They explained the purpose of the event and the importance of showing appreciation to frontline nurses during these challenging times. They also ensured that the volunteers received proper training to ensure their safety during the event and compensation for their volunteer hours.

Coordinating The Carwash

On the day of the carwash event, the team and volunteers arrived early to set up the event. They arranged the supplies and set up the washing stations. The team members were responsible for greeting customers, accepting donations, and washing cars. The volunteers were responsible for washing cars, drying them off, and ensuring the customers were satisfied with the service.

The event was a success, with the community coming out to get their cars washed and donate to the cause.

As a result of the fundraising efforts, the team was able to raise $1200 to purchase all the items needed to create the "Thank You" baskets.

Giving Back

Shopping for Nurse-friendly Items

The team carefully planned and prepared each "Thank You" basket. They purchased items within budget that included candles, bath bombs, lotions, and other pampering items to help frontline nurses relax and unwind after a long day at work. Knowing that they had to be inclusive of all nurses, they purchased gender-specific items by themes.

Building The Baskets

The team created 7 large "thank you" baskets that included a personal note of appreciation to the nurses, thanking them for their hard work and dedication. They assembled the baskets with care and attention to detail, ensuring that each one was a special and thoughtful gift.

The Impact

When the "Thank You" baskets were delivered to the ICU nurses at Lee Memorial Hospital, it was an emotional and heartwarming experience to see the smiles on their faces. Many of them expressed their gratitude and said that the gesture made a difference in their day. The project had a positive impact on both the frontline nurses and the team members involved in the project. It helped to raise awareness of the importance of showing appreciation to frontline workers during these challenging times.

The Conclusion

The "Thank You Baskets for Frontline Nurses" capstone project was a successful initiative that aimed to express gratitude to frontline nurses for their dedication and selfless service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project's organizers recognized the importance of showing appreciation to these healthcare heroes and were committed to creating a positive impact in their community. The project also aligned with current research that emphasizes the importance of showing appreciation to frontline workers. The team hopes that their project inspires others to recognize and appreciate the efforts of frontline workers during these challenging times.

The people behind the project

This project was initiated by a team of two students who recognized the importance of recognizing the efforts of frontline workers in their community.

Molly DaSilva Capstone Project Teammate

Molly is a Junior at Bishop Verot High School, and hopes to study psychology in college.

Kaylei Cunniff Capstone Project Teammate

Kaylei is a Junior at Bishop Verot High School, and hopes to study medicine in college.