Fundraisers are important for nearly every humane society. At the 4,000-plus animal shelters in the U.S., donations, grants and other private funding represent a large percentage of their operating budget. A fundraising event is an opportunity to encourage contributions now and potentially recruit annual donors that let you continue your mission of finding better homes for dogs, cats and other pets. From walk/runs to art festivals, there are many ways to drum up support.

No matter the type of animal shelter fundraiser you’re hosting, event apparel can make a huge difference. It gets your message out there and is a keepsake that keeps on giving. The key is making sure you have the apparel that best fits the occasion and your messaging. Use our guide to choose humane society fundraiser apparel that will make people want to give more to a worthy cause.

Animal Shelter Apparel Design Tips

To start, let’s look at how to design your fundraising event apparel. You want clothing that gets your message across and that volunteers and recipients will want to wear long after the event concludes. How do you do that? Consider these six tips for custom apparel design:

1. Choose Apparel That’s Comfortable and Versatile

The most important thing is that your apparel is comfortable to wear and remains useful for a long time. Choose breathable materials such as cotton, polyester fleece and spandex that are hypoallergenic and feel good all day. You also want event apparel that can be worn in many situations, giving more opportunities for your artwork to be seen.

2. Include the Shelter’s Name and Logo

On this note, the apparel should have the organization name and logo in a high-visibility area. You are building a brand just like a business, and that brand needs to be prominently displayed. Otherwise, people who want to support your cause won’t know who to support – and their money may go elsewhere as a result.

3. Use Simple Lines and Contrasting Colors

A lot is happening at a fundraiser, and you don’t want to overwhelm people with a noisy, complicated shirt or jacket. Limit the apparel to two or three main colors, and make sure the graphics are a contrasting color to make them more visible. Keep images relatively simple as well so they are easy to see and understand.

4. Have a Short But Effective Message

For the same reasons, wording should also be kept to a minimum on your apparel. A good message can be expressed in a few words or a short sentence. The message should be positive, too – numerous studies have found that people want to feel good about giving, and positive reinforcement helps with this emotion.

5. Make Use of the Back

Remember that most clothing has two sides – and both are excellent canvases. If you have a lot of information you want to get on an animal shelter shirt, place the most important things (slogan, logo, etc.) on the front and go into a little more detail on the back. Things you might add to the back include event dates, sponsor logos, large images and website URLs.

6. Consider a Design Template

Are you having trouble getting your creative juices flowing? An animal shelter apparel design template is a good starting point. Find graphics and messaging that are heartfelt, hilarious and everything in between. You can use licensed templates as-is or tweak them to reflect your specific event and branding goals.

Types of Animal Shelter Fundraiser Apparel

Now that you know some of the best practices for designing animal shelter fundraiser apparel, how should you put them to use? Check out these suggestions for what apparel to offer depending on your event.

Animal Shelter T-shirts

For casual fundraisers such as carnivals, barbecues, dog walking services and pet grooming, few things beat the classic T-shirt. These affordable garments come in many styles from basic crewneck unisex tees to fashion T-shirts and long-sleeves for cooler weather. Custom t-shirts aren’t just for event volunteers, either – attendees will love them, too.

Dress Shirts and Polos

If you’re holding a more formal fundraising event such as a charity dinner or dog photoshoot, you may want something more upscale. Button-downs and polo shirts are a great way to add sophistication to the occasion – especially when your artwork is embroidered. You can even add the names of volunteers and major donors.

Customized Hoodies

Don’t let chilly temperatures put a damper on your event! The ever-popular customized hoodie is something that volunteers and benefactors of all ages will love adding to their collection. Pullover hoodies and zip-up hoodies are excellent fundraiser apparel that people can wear almost year-round, getting more eyeballs on your organization.

Athletic Apparel

Are you planning an annual dog walk/run or holding an event in the middle of the summer? Make sure your animal shelter provides athletic shirts, shorts and similar clothing made of performance fabrics. Their moisture-wicking properties help people stay cool as they’re jogging or otherwise moving about.

Hats and Caps

Top off a great event with some high-quality headwear! Add your humane society logo to a baseball cap, visor or bucket hat to promote everything from pet care classes to art festivals that raised money for animals. When winter arrives, knit hats and beanies help potential donors warm to your cause.

Fetch the Right Fundraising Apparel at BlueCotton

When you’re ready to order apparel for an animal shelter fundraiser, BlueCotton will deliver. We offer a huge variety of name-brand apparel that is printed in the U.S. With our Online Design Studio tool, you can discover the purr-fect look. Your satisfaction is guaranteed every time you shop at BlueCotton!

The post Custom Apparel Ideas for Animal Shelter Fundraising Events appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

A youth group mission is an important moment in a young person’s life. Whether it’s a local community outreach event or a weeks-long tour of a foreign country, mission trips are more than just an opportunity to share their faith with others. It also teaches them more about what is faced by those who are less fortunate and lets them serve those in need, whether that’s through providing food, painting houses, teaching classes or simply being a shoulder to lean on. By opening their minds and hearts to everyday struggles around the world, they can be in a better position to help others both abroad and closer to home.

Many things go into planning a mission trip, from arranging travel and housing to planning activities. One item that shouldn’t be forgotten is designing and ordering youth group mission trip T-shirts. It may seem insignificant compared to other parts of your journey, but a youth mission T-shirt plays a crucial role. Why should you order mission trip shirts, and what are some of the options your organization has? The team at BlueCotton is here to answer all your questions about faith mission T-shirts so you can get the right apparel.

Why to Order Mission Trip Shirts

Let’s start with the benefits of youth mission T-shirts and how they help with your mission. There are many reasons to order youth ministry shirts, including:

• • Mission trip T-shirts are a way to build identity and community among youths and volunteers. Mission members often come from many places and backgrounds, and the shirt emphasizes the concept that they are working together regardless of their background.
  • A logo shirt makes it easier for others to recognize students and leaders so they know who’s part of the group. This makes it easier to keep track of each other in unfamiliar areas and lets audiences know who they can talk to if they have questions.
  • The shirt artwork lets you showcase the message you’re trying to convey. Express faith, unity, hope and more without saying a word! Shirts can also provide important information to audiences about your organization.
  • For many, a youth mission shirt is a physical memento of their trip. It offers an instant reminder of a profound life experience and the memories they made.
  • By wearing matching T-shirts, youth mission volunteers will look more professional. It adds a sense of respect and commitment to their work, showing they are serious about the mission and helping to build trust.
  • A shirt will continue spreading the message of your mission long after it’s over. They have an impact far beyond short trips and one-off events, making them an ongoing way to promote faith.
  • Even for people not going on the trip, a faith mission T-shirt is a way to show support for those who are. Offering T-shirts to parents and close friends of mission members can spread your message even further. It’s also a good fundraising opportunity to help cover the many expenses of a mission trip.

How to Design a Great Youth Mission T-Shirt

The next thing to consider is the design of your shirt, as this will determine how big of an effect it has. The right youth mission shirt design will elevate your journey – but the wrong design can become a burden. Here are four tips for designing your faith mission T-shirt:

1. Keep Things Clean and Simple

It can be tempting to include a lot of information and elaborate details on your shirt. However, too complex a shirt design can lead to the message being lost. Use simple lines, contrasting colors and large fonts that can be read from a distance. Try to avoid overly wordy phrasing, too – by saying more with less, you clarify your message and make it more memorable.

2. Have a Message That’s Positive and Compelling

On a related note, you want to keep your messaging positive and open-minded. If you have a slogan that seems negative, judgmental, snobbish or non-inclusive, it can do serious damage to a mission – both for the people you’re trying to serve and those trying to serve them. Come up with a message that is easy for most people to embrace at least in principle. You might also consider a slogan that spurs curiosity and can be a conversation starter.

3. Consider Adding Names

As we mentioned, youth groups include people from many places, and these volunteers often travel to unfamiliar locations. Adding their names to the front or the back of the shirt can help their peers and the people they’re serving learn who they are, making the experience more personal. It can also give group members a greater sense of pride and purpose.

4. Get Shirts Made of Comfortable Materials

The best design in the world won’t matter if the shirt is so uncomfortable that people don’t want to wear it. Classic cotton T-shirts are always a safe bet, but there are many other good options. Polyester and moisture-wicking shirts are an excellent choice if your mission is in a hot, humid region or involves physical labor. Rayon is another great hot-climate shirt fabric, though it can be a little trickier to print on. Blended fabric shirts are available that offer the best aspects of each material.

Discover Mission Trip T-Shirt Ideas at BlueCotton

If you’re shopping for a custom mission trip T-shirt, BlueCotton can help. We offer a huge assortment of custom t-shirts from leading brands such as Gildan, Hanes, Next Level, Bella + Canvas and Sport-Tek. Upload existing artwork or use the Online Design Studio tool to create the perfect graphics. We’ll make sure you get the best value with unbeatable prices, fast turnaround time and free shipping plus a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

The post Faithful Fashion: Custom T-Shirts for Youth Group Mission Trips appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

The T-shirt got its humble beginnings in 1913 when the U.S. Navy issued crewneck tees to be worn under uniforms. In the decades since, tees became more stylish with prints and slogans. They got political in the 1940s when New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey’s campaign designed ones with the phrase “Dew it with Dewey” printed on them when he ran for president. Even Hollywood contributed to the T-shirt’s popularity when Marlon Brando sported one in the 1951 film A Streetcar Named Desire.

Create Your Own Iconic T-shirt Today with BlueCotton

While it’s impossible to decide which is the greatest T-shirt of all time – and trust us, we’ve tried – we were able to come to some agreement on about 20 that stood out to us in one way or another. From tees made for landmark moments in history to the world’s most expensive shirt, each one of these garments has earned its place on this list.

The following list is a stroll down memory lane through popular movies, rock ‘n’ roll, cultural movements, social statements, funky fads and so much more. We hope you enjoy and share this with your friends as a fun piece of T-shirt trivia. Keep reading to learn about awesome graphic vintage tees and expensive shirt brands you never knew about before!

Superlative Luxury T-Shirt

Where else can we begin this list but with a T-shirt that has a sticker price of $400,000? Superlative Luxury shirt designs were introduced in 2012 in London, and Superlative is now one of the world’s most renowned luxury shirt brands. Depending on who you ask, Superlative also makes the most expensive T-shirt in the world. This shirt is plain black with a spherical pattern that has 16 certified diamonds on it.

Led Zeppelin 1979 Backstage Pass T-Shirt

When you return to the stage after a four-year break and everyone in the world wants a backstage pass, what do you do? Well, if you’re rock legends Led Zeppelin, you create a limited number of T-shirts printed to act as passes, both to keep people from counterfeiting passes, as well as to make your guests feel extra special. And, for the lucky concertgoers who kept their shirt for all these years, they now sell for more than $10,000, making them the rarest and most sought-after Led Zeppelin T-shirts in the world. This is a prime example of vintage band T-shirts.

J$ “King of NY” T-Shirt

This shirt makes the list due to its rarity. Initially produced as a collaboration with filmmaker Joe Chan, no two seasons of the King of NY collection are alike, as they used different printing processes and color schemes every time.

Rolling Stones “Lick” T-Shirt

No list is complete without the iconic Rolling Stones “Lick” shirt. The story goes that after several failed attempts by the Stones’ record label to provide them with a logo that was to their liking, Mick Jagger took things into his own hands. The band logo was eventually designed by John Pasche, an art student at the Royal College of Art in London at the time, and was introduced to the public in 1970.

UNICEF Cargo Flight T-Shirt

UNICEF began selling T-shirts as a way to create awareness and raise money for their programs, which provide food, clothes, shelter and more to people in need around the world. The prices on most of their tees range from $18 to $1,000. However, one particular shirt-which is just a simple white shirt with a green printed plane dropping supplies-recently sold for almost $300,000.

UNICEF 1996 Olympics T-Shirt

As we mentioned above, UNICEF’s shirts have done an amazing job raising money for many of their causes. Similarly, these T-shirts from the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta raised nearly $1 million in total, with the highest bid generated on the final day of auction reaching $42,000.

Apple Invisible Man “Think” T-Shirt

Talk about a blast from the past! Most of the iPhone generation won’t remember that when this T-shirt first came out, Apple was the underdog in the tech world. This tee is not only a reminder of the days when Apple was nothing more than a small startup, but it’s also a highly sought-after collector’s item.

John Lennon Home T-Shirt

The Home T-shirts have been world-famous ever since John Lennon took a photo wearing one. They were designed by Finn of FINN studios and made for the owner of the restaurant called Home. While you can find replica shirts in a number of places, John Lennon’s original shirt was auctioned off for $16,400. That price tag makes it one of the most expensive vintage tees ever.

Run-D.M.C. “My Adidas” T-Shirt

The rise of hip-hop in the ’80s and subsequent rise of a new clothing style was most evident with this Run-D.M.C. Adidas T-shirt. Before Adidas started making new versions of this classic, originals from Run-D.M.C.’s tour were fetching upwards of $13,000.

John Lennon 1971 War Is Over T-Shirt

Many people are familiar with Happy Xmas (War Is Over), arguably one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time, which was originally performed by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band in 1971. What you may not be familiar with is that they designed a series of T-shirts bearing the song’s lyrics “War is over! If you want it!” to promote the single. There aren’t many still left, and in 2007, a surviving shirt sold at Christie’s in New York for $1,875.

Vote for Pedro T-Shirt

This is in reference to the 2004 cult classic movie Napoleon Dynamite. The Vote for Pedro T-shirt has remained popular over the past 10-plus years, even though it’s a relatively simple design. This is a great example of the impact visuals can have on the public.

Rolling Stones 1973 Goats Head Soup Tour Crew Shirt

Only 50 of these embroidered shirts, created for the crew members of the Rolling Stones’ 1973 tour, were ever made, and it is believed that only a few still exist. Created by Ritva and Mike Ross, one of these rare vintage T-shirts recently sold at Christie’s in New York for $4,250.

D.A.R.E. T-Shirt

A staple for any kid who grew up in the late ’80s or early ’90s, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Association (D.A.R.E.) used these free T-shirts as a way to promote their program, which aimed to prevent teenagers from using drugs or engaging in gang activity and violence. Today, with an international presence in over 52 countries around the world, D.A.R.E. tees are still commonly seen.

1969 Woodstock T-Shirt

While most music festivals today have dozens of merchandise stands set up, when half a million people descended on Max Yasgur’s farm in New York in August 1969, that wasn’t one of the things they found. In fact, not a single piece of merchandise was created by the organizers of Woodstock. The only Woodstock shirts available were made by people who set up roadside stalls. This makes Woodstock T-shirts legendarily rare shirts for collectors and history buffs. The above tee is one example, and it fetched $1,188 at Christie’s in 2007.

Kanye West’s “Hip-Hop Shirt”

We love the traditional white T-shirt, but rarely do you see one that retails for $120. Enter Kanye West’s fashion collaboration with French clothing store A.P.C., which aimed to create a line of “luxurious clothing for the young and beautiful.” One such piece is this shirt, titled the “Hip-Hop Shirt.” Not only did it retail for $120, but it actually sold out!

1977 The Runaways Tour T-Shirt

The all-girl rock band The Runaways found themselves at the heart of the emerging punk scene on both sides of the Atlantic, and they embarked on a world tour in 1977. Their European “School Days” tour included 24 shows from October to December of that year, and the T-shirts that survived from that tour are now valued at up to $7,500 each.

Nike “Just Do It” T-Shirts

The slogan was coined in 1988 at an advertising agency meeting. Dan Wieden, founder of the Wieden+Kennedy agency, credits the inspiration for his “Just Do It” Nike slogan to Gary Gilmore’s last words before execution. While not the happiest of thoughts, this slogan and the millions of T-shirts that it is written on have become a staple of the 21st century.

1982 Metallica Metal Up Yours Shirt

The original 1982 Metallica shirt is the second tee Metallica created for sale. It is one of the most sought-after metal shirts in the world, and one of the hardest to find. Most of these never made it out of the ’80s. The ones that did have become collector’s items, as evident by Kim Kardashian spending over $2,000 for one.

Ready To Design Your Own Iconic T-Shirt?

Your podcast audience is growing. Your YouTube channel is exploding. You’re well on your way to being a TikTok influencer. You’re practically a social media icon. We promise you, your fans want merch, and they want it now! BlueCotton makes it so quick and easy to design your own custom T-shirts, there’s no reason to procrastinate any longer.

Use our online T-shirt designer to create your unique, iconic look. If you already have a design, it’s easy to upload it using the T-shirt designer. If you don’t, check out our design ideas for inspiration. When it comes to the shirts themselves, you’ll want to pick from well-known brands that your fanbase knows and trusts, like Gildan, Comfort Colors and Next Level. At BlueCotton, all production on your custom T-shirts will be done in-house by our U.S.-based team, and your custom shirts will be delivered to you quickly. If you have an urgent deadline, we also offer Super Rush or Shirts in a Day options.

Who knows? The one-of-a-kind tees you design could someday be among the expensive shirts available at a New York auction!

The post The 18 Most Infamous, Expensive, & Iconic T-Shirts Of All Time appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

But the sheer destructive power of this particular storm was. More than 70 people were killed. Entire communities were left without basic amenities.

Even now, more than a month after the storm, many survivors are, per The Courier Journal, temporarily living in motorhomes and trailers. 

It should go without saying that the victims of this catastrophe still need all the help they can get. And rather heartwarmingly, they have been receiving plenty of aid. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still contribute, as well. 

Donate Blood

In addition to the deaths caused by the storm, it also left many Kentuckians injured and in need of hospitalization. The Red Cross began a blood drive in the days immediately following the tornado, in an effort, with governor Andy Beshear noting that blood was needed for many tornado-struck areas, reports WLKY.  Given that, per Lex 18, there is still an ongoing nationwide blood shortage, donations are still desperately needed.

According to the American Red Cross, blood donations are down 10% across the United States. Reportedly, it’s the worst decline seen in more than a decade. This is, the organization continued, likely due at least in part to the pandemic—yet winter weather combined with the tornado has further exacerbated the issue in Kentucky. 

Donate Essentials

In a heartwarming display of holiday spirit, toy drives and other donation centers received overwhelming support. Fox 17 even reports that one center in Hopkins County received so many donations that it actually ran out of space.  Still, if you can find a nonprofit or facility nearby that provides aid to the tornado victims, you can still send physical donations such as:

• Non-perishable food
• Clothing
• Toiletries
• Non-prescription medical supplies

Find Nonprofits to Support

Countless local and national nonprofits have been devoting time and effort to helping tornado victims. We’ve already mentioned The Red Cross. Another nonprofit of particular note is the Stuff the Bus Foundation. Its donation drive raised more than $170,000 for tornado relief, reports WBKO. 

The Lexington Herald has published a list of nonprofits to which you can donate. These include Kroger, The Kentucky Agriculture Relief Fund, The KSR Tornado Relief Fund, The Community Foundation of West Kentucky’s Disaster Relief Fund, CARE’s Tornado Emergency Fund, and the Basic Needs and Persistence Fund, hosted by the University of Kentucky. 

Volunteer Your Time

When the storm struck Bowling Green, it brought down the entire power grid. Even those buildings that were not directly hit were without electricity. During that time, volunteers showed up at people’s houses to help clear downed trees, local high schools were opened to feed and house the storm’s victims, and buses provided transportation. 

The above examples are indicative of a simple truth — sometimes, in the wake of a crisis, the best contribution you can make is your time and effort.  It doesn’t even need to be anything complicated, either. You could even help out a nonprofit by contributing some of your own unique expertise, such as graphic design or marketing. 

Participate in a Fundraiser

Last but not least, we’ll wrap things up with something we ourselves have done — fundraising. Since the storm, we’ve released two shirts, Bowling Green Love and Kentucky Forever, with proceeds for both going to tornado victims.  Our contribution, however, represents only a small part of the efforts people have been making to help. 

In the weeks immediately following the storm, several local restaurants partnered to donate $40,000 worth of gift cards to survivors.  Bowling Green also collected nearly $30,000 from the nearby town of Mayfield, which also received significant damage from the same storm. Finally, Auctions such as the Kentucky Bourbon Benefit, which ended on December 21, raised over $3 million in relief, reports Fox Business.

The December tornado that struck Kentucky was a tragedy. But it wasn’t a tragedy that survivors had to face alone. Already, they’ve received a great deal of help from governments, nonprofits, the private sector, and private citizens alike.  

And now, you know how to join their ranks.

The post Here’s How to Help The Victims of Kentucky’s Devastating December Tornado appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

That’s why National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is so important — and why, especially if you or a loved one could potentially experience breast cancer, you should participate. 

What Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? 

Founded through a partnership between The American Cancer Society and AstraZeneca in 1985, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was originally intended as an initiative for the promotion of mammograms as a means of fighting breast cancer. Since then, its cause has expanded significantly. Today, it’s largely driven by the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and focuses on both raising awareness about the illness and raising funds for research and treatment.

How Do I Get Involved In National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Whether you’re a survivor, supporting a loved one, or simply someone who wants to help, there are plenty of ways you can participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Give to Charity

The simplest way to get involved is to donate to a charity — we’d recommend the NBCF. Its 2021 fundraising initiative, known as Rise Up, allows donors to choose exactly how their donation is used. Options include: 

• Screening. Support the NCBF’s National Mammography and Patient Navigation Programs, which provide free mammograms and screenings. 

• Education. Ensure people have the information and resources they need for the early detection of breast cancer. 

• Support. Services include HOPE Kits, support groups, and metastatic retreats, all of which provide emotional support and guidance to victims of breast cancer. 

• General. Allow the NBCF to direct your funds wherever they’re needed most. 

Put on Some Pink

Even if you don’t have much money to donate, you can still show your support. Pin a pink ribbon onto your coat, or wear a pink T-shirt to spread awareness. We’ve put together a few recommendations here. 

Educate and Inform

It’s not called Breast Cancer Awareness Month for nothing. Even if you aren’t wearing pink (or if you’re stuck in quarantine), you can still do your part to raise awareness. This could include, but certainly isn’t limited to: 

• Sharing statistics and education from NCBF or the American Cancer Society. 
• Share one of NCBF’s free guides. 
• Learn more about cancer screenings so you can provide better advice/education to friends and loved ones.  

Let’s Show Our Support Together

Treatments for breast cancer have come a long way. But they also have a long way to go before we can truly put this tragic illness behind us. This month, let’s all do our part to get one step closer to a permanent cure.

The post October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here’s How You Can Participate appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

These are the founding pillars of K-Pod Designs, a family owned and operated small business situated in Washington State’s scenic Friday Harbor. The founder, Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, grew up with killer whales in his backyard and has been working closely with them ever since. And though he’s the artist for K-Pod Designs, his original career had him working much closer to the water. 

Kelley’s father, Ken Balcomb, was a prominent orca researcher, and founder of the Center for Whale Research. Kelley shared the senior Balcomb’s passion, serving in the early 90s as an advisor for the Free Willy movies. As captain of the Wildlife Unit for all three films, he worked closely with a group of wild orcas known as the Southern Resident killer whales, or alternatively, the J-Pod. 

During his work on the second film, he came up with what would ultimately be the foundation of K-Pod Designs. At that time, Kelley created his signature Pod Squad design, which served as the official crew shirt for Walt Conti’s animatronics team. The shirts depict the “original” members of the J-Pod, circa 1994. 

Working closely with his wife Carlene — a seamstress, costume designer, wedding cake designer, and former Wardrobe Mistress — Kelley soon decided that it was time to create a pod of his own. Today, he runs K-Pod Designs along with his wife and two children. He also continues to act as an advocate for whales both in San Juan and worldwide. 

Here’s where BlueCotton comes in. We recently started working with the company, providing them with the resources and materials for the T-shirts they print and sell. A line of those shirts featuring the Pod Squad design is now altered to be prominently displayed in the Royal BC Museum Gift Shop in Victoria, British Columbia, as part of their upcoming exhibit Orcas: Our Shared Future. 

The exhibit brings history, activism, Indigenous beliefs, and popular culture together under a single umbrella, teaching attendees about the social structure of orcas, how at-risk populations can be protected, and the damage caused by captivity. In addition to in-person attendance, the exhibit can also be experienced as a virtual guided tour. 

The Pod Squad shirts will be sold in the museum gift shop for the duration of the exhibit. Don’t fret if you can’t make it out to BC for the occasion, though. You can purchase a Pod Squad shirt of your own on K-Pod’s website along with a range of other products, including mugs, stickers, bags, and masks.   

By far, the best thing about what we do is the unique clients with which we work. We’re honored that K-Pod Designs chose us to print their shirts and look forward to continuing our relationship with them in the future. 

The post BlueCotton Customer Profile: K-Pod Designs appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

A boy who requires regular dialysis typically isn’t going to be able to attend summer camp. A girl going through chemotherapy won’t ordinarily have the chance to go on a fishing trip. A child with muscular dystrophy won’t ordinarily be able to go out on a rafting trip. 

That’s where The Center for Courageous Kids (CCK) comes in. A nonprofit founded in 2008,  CCK has to date enriched the lives of 36,000 children and their families, serving over 45 states and 13 foreign countries. Every year, thousands more join that roster, enjoying activities that would otherwise be forever beyond their reach. 

Empowerment is at the heart of CCK’s mission. Funded entirely by its donors and partners, CCK hosts nine week-long camps each year. Activities encompass virtually everything you might expect to see at a summer camp, including archery, horseback riding, climbing, rafting, and more.

Perhaps more importantly, CCK is also about building communities. Attendees get to see firsthand that they aren’t alone. There are others like them, others suffering from the same ailments and experiencing the same struggles. 

Finally, the nonprofit allows parents to reconnect with one another. The experience of caring for a chronically ill child can put a strain on any relationship. The ability to have even a little bit of time together — a little bit of time where they needn’t worry about their child — can be an incredible boon. 

CCK keeps its campers safe and secure via its $20 million state-of-the-art campus, which hosts an on-site, 24-hour medical center that includes a pharmacy and helipad. Staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses, the medical facility provides virtually every type of care a medically-fragile child might require. If all else fails, the facility is also situated just a mile from the nearest emergency room. 

Best of all, however, is the fact that CCK offers all of this completely free of charge. A family that wishes to give their child a chance just to be a kid doesn’t have to pay a cent. It’s admirable work — and BlueCotton is honored to be one of CCK’s valued partners. 

We’ve been working with CCK since the early 2010s, providing quality custom shirts for campers, parents, and volunteers alike. We don’t simply send clothes to the organization, though. We also regularly participate in CCK’s camps, volunteering our time and enjoying what the camp offers. 

Because as we’ve said before, our customers are more than sales leads to us — they’re valued partners, and we’re honored to help them spread their message and change the world. 

The post How the Center for Courageous Kids Brightens the Lives of Thousands appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

But here we are. Almost a month into the New Year. As is tradition, now’s a good time to engage in a bit of introspection — to reflect and set goals for both personal and professional improvement.

Provided, of course, you have the energy to do so. Don’t worry if you’re still feeling a bit burnt out from 2020. Many of us are, so don’t beat yourself up about it. 

That said, if you’re looking to hit the ground running in 2021, we’ve got some valuable advice to offer in that regard.

First, Know Yourself

Think about your past achievements in both your career and your personal life. What did you find easy to accomplish, and what did you struggle with? The latter is where you want to direct your focus. 

Understanding your weaknesses and flaws is at the core of self-improvement, and the first step in bettering yourself. Let’s say, for instance, you struggle with executive dysfunction. You might consider padding your deadlines or getting as much work done as possible when you feel productive. 

This will allow you more time to work around mental fatigue without worrying about turning in work late.

Of course, you might also consider speaking to a mental health professional if the executive dysfunction is severe enough; never underestimate the difference treatment can make.

Second, Think About What You Want

COVID-19 changed the world, and in most cases, it wasn’t for the better. People are struggling to make ends meet, and businesses are closing their doors. People are scared, stressed, and uncertain when it will end.

If you’re among those who’ve been laid off or seen their business fail, don’t panic. This could, given the right circumstances, represent a new opportunity for you. Ask yourself what you want to do with your life. 

Once you’ve ensured you’ll be able to keep yourself comfortable and secure, pursue that dream. 

Third, Be Realistic

You don’t need to be a productivity powerhouse. You don’t need to charge headlong into your dreams, especially if you’re still trying to keep food on the table. Know your limitations, and learn to recognize when you’re taking on too much work.

It’s far too easy to set your expectations too high and give up when you fail. 

Where goals are concerned, don’t overcomplicate things. Figure out what you have the time and energy to achieve right now, and play to your strengths, tracking your progress as you do. And know that you don’t need to pursue every goal right now. 

Do what you can for now, and that will be enough — you can always set long-term goals for the future, and pursue them as soon as you’re able. 

Fourth, Don’t Overdo It at Work

Last year showed us, in stark detail, the fragility of our way of life. It showed us how much we took for granted, and caused many of us to rethink our priorities. If you haven’t done so already, you should do the same. 

Ask yourself what matters to you. 

Do you want to pursue a well-deserved raise or promotion? Do you want to spend more time with your family? Do you want to pursue a new hobby? 

Make sure that whatever your goals, you don’t veer too far to either end of the spectrum where work-life balance is concerned. You don’t want to be pouring all your energy into work to the extent that you’ve nothing left for the people you care about. But you also don’t want to ignore work altogether. 

The key is striking the right balance. 

Finally, Try To Remain Positive

It’s easy to dive into the New Year with momentum…most of the time. This year might be a bit of an exception to the rule. Either way, it’s easy to set and pursue goals in the short term.

Long term, though? Not so much. As the grind continues, deadlines grow tighter, and life grows more stressful, it’s easy to get discouraged and lose your positive energy.

Consider setting small goals and rewarding yourself when you meet them. Learn to laugh at the sheer absurdity of the world. And take time every day to consider what and who you’re thankful for. 

Final Thoughts

We live in unprecedented times. Most of us are struggling right now. Remember that. 

Be honest with yourself, practice a bit of kindness, and show sincere gratitude for the good things in your life. You can and will get through this. And we’re all in your corner, cheering for you to do so. 

The post 5 Pieces of Advice To Help You Hit the Ground Running in 2021 appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

Local businesses in Kentucky are helping neighbors stay afloat. We recently joined in by partnering with United Way, an organization dedicated to the education, health and financial stability of every Kentuckian, to host a fundraiser. 

We already unite colleges, high schools, and other teams through t-shirts and we decided that the best way to help is to unite all of Kentucky. Therefore, we are selling t-shirts with the hashtag #TeamKentucky for $11.99 and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to local food pantries. 

We are thrilled to announce that so far we have surpassed $30,000!

The idea originally came from Governor Andy Beshear who is encouraging people to help each other in this crisis. 

“In times like these people can feel pretty helpless … it feels great that every time one of these #TeamKentucky shirts rolls off the end of the dryer, we’re providing food for someone that’s in need,” said BlueCotton CEO Mike Coffey.

If you’re looking for a way to donate, you can do so by purchasing the t-shirts here as well as the other Greek, collegiate and local high school designs. 

Is it Enough?

Unfortunately, approximately 50 million Americans already rely on food pantries to get their next meal. Now, with the recent unemployment surge, even more people are expected to rely on food banks. While our own fundraiser is a step in the right direction, there is always a need for more. 

So what else can we do? 

In addition to purchasing and wearing the #TeamKentucky t-shirt, shop locally. If you plan to get takeout, buy from a local restaurant. Dominos recently announced that they are hiring 2,000 more people to staff a surge in demand. 

Consider also volunteering at local food banks. Approximately 66 percent of food banks rely on volunteers and as the coronavirus sets in, fewer people are able to step up and help. Even as you volunteer, be sure to adhere to social distancing guidelines and be particularly careful when handling food.

If you don’t have time to volunteer at a local food bank, consider picking up food for a senior or otherwise compromised individual in your community the next time you go shopping. Small acts of kindness may seem insignificant, but they go a long way in these times.

Finally, respect social distancing guidelines and go out as little as possible. We will get out of this together and we will be stronger for it. Do your part and buy a #TeamKentucky t-shirt to help support your local community.

The post We Teamed Up With United Way to Raise Over $10,000 For Local Food Pantries appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.

It was also proof positive that crowdfunding is not only a viable tool for nonprofit fundraising but a powerful one. 

It’s our firm belief that if your nonprofit is interested in raising money for a good cause, a crowdfunding platform is one of the best ways to do so. However, crowdfunding isn’t a tool you can use without proper research and planning. We see a lot of nonprofits forget that, and make a ton of easily-avoidable mistakes in the process. 

Here are a few of the most common crowdfunding mistakes we see them, and how you can avoid them. 

Going in Without a Plan

As with any fundraising campaign, planning is the first thing you need to do before getting involved in any crowdfunding platform. The most important part of this process is to set clear, achievable goals. While it’s certainly possible that you might go viral and raise millions, the number of crowdfunding campaigns that achieve this are few and far between.

You need to manage your expectations and focus not just on how much money you want to raise, but what you want to do with that money. 

Ignoring Marketing and Communication

It’s true that crowdfunding can greatly increase your nonprofit’s reach, putting your message out before a far larger audience than might otherwise see it. But if you haven’t put in the necessary effort to first refine that message, it’s likely going to fall on deaf ears. This starts with understanding your nonprofit’s culture and using that understanding to refine your voice across your marketing channels. 

Beyond that, it’s also important to put in the necessary work to keep in touch with your donors. You need to have a communication plan in place that you can use in the weeks ramping up to your campaign’s launch, one to use during your campaign, and one after it’s complete. The idea is that you want to remain in constant contact with your audience, providing them with regular updates about milestones and progress. 

Not Researching a Crowdfunding Platform

We see a lot of nonprofits gravitate towards Kickstarter. While it’s possible to host a nonprofit fundraiser on this platform (or any consumer crowdfunding site), it’s not really what they’re intended for. Instead, we’d advise choosing a nonprofit platform that’s specifically geared towards nonprofits, such as Rally, Causes, or GoFundMe Charity. 

Not only are they likelier to have nonprofit-specific tools and metrics for you to leverage, but they’ll also see you promoting your campaign to an audience that’s far likelier to be onboard with charitable giving.

Smarter Fundraising. Better Giving

Crowdfunding is a powerful tool in the repertoire of any nonprofit. Sure, there’s a bit of a learning curve, but you shouldn’t let that stop you. Do your homework, understand where the most common mistakes occur, and you’ll do just fine.

The post 3 Common Nonprofit Crowdfunding Mistakes You Need to Avoid appeared first on The BlueCotton Blog.