T-Shirts Aim to Inspire People to "Be Greater Than" Problems

COMMUNITY NEWS

Causes like pollution and disease are the reason I started my t-shirt company called Be Greater. I'm a stay-at-home mom who, like many other stay-at-home moms, feels passionate about taking a strong positive stand against pollution.

Be Greater Than (B>) is a line of positive message t-shirts, which include “B > pollution” with “go green” written on the back. Other models include “B > cancer” with “survive” written on the back, “B > violence” with “peace” on the back and “B > expected” with “exceed” on the back.

A portion of all Be Greater proceeds goes to several local nonprofit groups. Customers can choose their cause by choosing the t-shirt. For example, one dollar of every B>cancer shirt goes to a pediatric cancer charity (Cool Kids Campaign). Proceeds from B>violence go to the Spouse Abuse Resource Center in Maryland, a safe house for women and children who are victims of abuse. Since the B>pollution shirt is new, I'm taking suggestions for an environmental nonprofit.

I came up with the idea for B> after hearing a Native American prayer encouraging people to honor a spirit greater than themselves. The “B > cancer” model was inspired by my own sister who battled cancer several years ago – and survived.

Lisa G. from Maryland says: “We love the shirts! Emily was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia on June 8th, 2007. Emily's hair is starting to grow back, so I love it when she wears her shirt - she is definitely greater than!”

T-shirts have always been a way for people to speak for their cause. Be Greater t-shirts are the way some people in Maryland are supporting cancer patients, abuse victims and green living. My company’s goal is simple: to inspire people to be greater, one t-shirt at a time. People are responding to the positive messages, and I think your viewers will find the story – and the t-shirts – very inspiring.

-Kelly Lippenholz

The Daily Green's Community News section is a forum for our audience to get the word out about issues that matter to them, enlist support, get help and advice, celebrate successes or share humor. The best submissions are personal (why I started this venture) short and to the point (400 words or so) and written in a style that speaks directly to the audience as peers (not like an ad or press release). E-mail submissions to news@thedailygreen.com and include "community news" in the subject line. Photos are also welcome, provided the submitter has rights to publish the image. Be sure to include credit and caption information.

Submissions to The Daily Green are subject to our Privacy and Terms of Use policies.

COMMENTS ()