Project Spotlight: Gifts for the Greater Good
Gifts that show appreciation and support our local community
Some projects stand out not because of their size or budget, but because of the heart behind them. Recently, I had the privilege of creating appreciation gifts for Fresno Pacific University’s Center for Community Transformation — a program dedicated to equipping and empowering local leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations working to make a difference right here in the Central Valley.
The Center hosted a lunch to thank their donors and partners for their ongoing support, and they wanted something special to place at each setting — a thoughtful token of appreciation that reflected the spirit of their mission.
To bring this idea to life, I partnered with Good Dirt Collective, whose Mud Girls program provides creative work and community for young women from the foster care system. Each guest received a hand-crafted ceramic bowl made by these talented artisans — a beautiful reminder that creativity and opportunity can truly change lives.
We filled each bowl with a half-pound of Anellabees caramels — small-batch honey caramels crafted by a mother-daughter duo who also give back to pollinator conservation and sustainable agriculture efforts. Their story, like so many of the makers we source from, is rooted in care and connection.
To finish, we wrapped each bowl with a ribbon and a custom gift tag — simple, elegant, and full of meaning. The result was tables full of gifts that didn’t just look beautiful but told a story of community impact and gratitude.
It’s a great reminder that you don’t have to spend a lot to make a gift meaningful. Gifts that support good causes — gifts with heart and purpose — are becoming a growing trend among organizations that want their giving to reflect their values.
Because when your gift gives back, it creates joy that extends far beyond the table.