Flashback to five months ago in mid-March at the start of New York City on PAUSE, where all non-essential businesses were mandated by Governor Cuomo to cease operations due to the Corona Virus Pandemic. The floral industry came to a screeching halt and took a massive hit just as Mother's Day and the wedding season was right around the corner. Both events are crucial revenue streams for the flower industry, an industry that heavily relies on holidays and big events to stay afloat. It's very much a seasonal and social business filled with memorable and joyous celebrations. One month of downtime turned into two, then three and the months go on with increasing uncertainty for the future of this sector. 

Prior to NYC on PAUSE, I personally have read and heard from the news about the virus spreading and more cases were being reported so a week before the city was mandated to close, I decided to stay home for the time being. Little did I know, I would be forced to stay home much longer than expected. The first week of self-imposed quarantine, I was nervous, scared, and extremely anxious for co-workers that were still working, and for the health and safety of family members and friends--this virus is no joke. The stress and anxiety really took a toll on my regular sleeping schedule and the lack of adequate rest made my anxiety levels even worse. It was a vicious cycle! I started to experiment with some ideas I've had and documented my progress on Instagram Stories because why not? It's also something that I found to be very helpful in keeping my stress and anxiety levels in check. Keeping busy and creatively crafting was really my form of meditation during quarantine. 

A week in, I was finally happy with the organic outcome of my experiments and have created real botanical coaster keepsakes for my home! Friends were encouraging me along the way and was really intrigued and excited with my botanical coaster journey. When I finally revealed my finished creations, I was receiving messages asking whether I would be selling them so I decided perhaps I can really channel all my fears and anxiety into creating coasters for a good cause. Being that most of my friends work in or have family that works in healthcare, I decided to create a community/volunteer-based setup within a NYC hospital where every coaster purchase will provide day-to-day meals and refreshments to NYC healthcare front-liners. 

One of my close friends, Hiro, who works in one of NYC's top hospitals, was my main connection in really making this all possible. I reached out and ran my idea by him and he immediately was on board. So as friends and family were reaching out to purchase my coasters, a portion of the funds were directly sent to him and he would buy, and setup all the day-to-day meals. Overtime his coworkers within the same hospital would also volunteer and help buy and distribute meals on different floors. Word was spreading about the cause and I was receiving such uplifting and encouraging words and it really helped me find a purpose during the time I wasn't working. I was able to focus on trying my best in contributing in however way I can and helping healthcare front-liners stay positive by letting them know indirectly that we as a community are there for them during this really trying time. My stress and anxieties became less severe and the #CoastersforaCause Initatiive was born!

My boyfriend saw what I was doing and told me to post it online on Reddit and so I made my first post. I was not expecting the response that I had. Overnight, strangers from all over the country were messaging and reaching out to see if i had an Etsy account so that they can purchase their own set. So I decided to create an account and was blown away with how people are so willing to help and contribute in any way that they can. I'm so grateful for everyone who has been a part of it. The pictures of smiling doctors, nurses, and the staff, really motivated my day to day and made me realize that I want to do more. I had orders come in from Texas, California, Kansas, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, even Hong Kong, and the list goes on! Currently the initiative spotlights seven non-profit organizations/causes that are doing the work to uplift creative and social-economic ecosystems. Each botanical keepsake represents and donates to a different cause, and I'm so proud to have found new continuous missions, new friendships, and best of all, sources of light and hope during this dark time.