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Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 05:36AM
1 x 50,000 = HOPE
Updated
This is a work in progress... but I feel it's the start of something important...
I feel a strong desire to do something to help raise money for the relief effort in China following the earthquake. As of Monday, the confirmed death toll had reached 34,073, with another 9,500 still buried, and more than 29,000 still missing. Estimates are now being reported that the death toll is expected to exceed 50,000.
I thought it would be cool to do something to show the true magnitude of the number of lives that have been lost, while still celebrating the uniqueness of each individual. I decided I would make a single tally mark for each of the estimated 50,000 casualties (I actually decided to do it when I still thought the number was around 12-13k, and while my investment of time is now greater - I think the significance of the project has increased as well). So the final design will feature 50,000 unique, individual marks.
50,000 lives lost
50,000 individual marks
50,000 shirts
50,000 people supporting the cause
My goal would be to sell each of the 50,000 shirts for $20 over-cost in order to raise a minimum of $1,000,000.00. Our target price is currently $24/shirt
Each shirt will be individually numbered (1 of 50,000 and so on) on the back shoulder. Shirt numbers 1 and 50,000 will be reserved for an auction to help raise even more support.
I was also thinking that we could allow for donations above and beyond the final price tag - so if I wanted to buy the shirt for $50.00, I could do so.
The final donation would be given to either the Red Cross or World Vision, or some other relief organization currently working in China.
I want the people that get the shirt, and those who see the shirt, to understand the significance of how one life is directly connected to another. And how one person, multiplied 50,000 times, can do something amazing.
Here's a first look at the shirt design. The "x" consists of the 50,000 tally marks. It's getting closer to final
I've purchased the domain name, fiftythousandshirts.com. We're working on getting that online asap.
I'll keep you updated.
TALK — blah, blah
This amazes me! What an honorable thing to do, and I really respect you for taking the action to see your vision out. I know that for me (and probably many others) I have high ambitions to do something like this, but it never gets beyond an idea, or a file on my computer. Thank you for doing this, and for inspiring me to move my designs to a higher level that can actually make an impact! God bless you!
3 months ago
This is a really great cause...and the shirts are looking really nice too...definitely excited for this idea
3 months ago
I love the fact that you turn it to HOPE! Helping them while turning it to hope!!
3 months ago
What a moving display of "loving others." What can we do to help? Banners? Buttons? How can we spread the word?
Whatever we can do as the RiW community, please let us know.
3 months ago
**Updates**
World Vision officially committed to being our charitable sponsor!
Red is White will be offering the use of their store!
Media Temple is considering hosting for the site for free!
We're currently putting together a temp website, showcasing the design, story, and the ability to reserve a shirt. Our target price is $24.00/per shirt, but in order to hit that goal, we need help with print sponsors, tshirt sponsors, and shipping sponsors. Please let me know if you can help out, or know someone who can.
The first and last numbered shirts (#1 and #50,000) will be reserved for the auction, I've got my hands on #2, but the rest are ready to be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
3 months ago
sign me up!
3 months ago
you should get someone to interview you for a documentary on how quickly this is all taking place. im astounded. if i had the skills and chance id do it myself.
3 months ago
Great Idea Steve.... let me know if there is anything i can do to help.
3 months ago
sign me up too!
3 months ago
The site is live. Check it out!
http://www.fiftythousandshirts.com
If you've asked for us to reserve a shirt, but you don't see your name on the Wall, just send us an email with the number of shirts you want, and the full name of the person associated with each shirt.
Oh, and hey, remember to get your Red is White shirts too!
3 months ago
The site is looking great. I've reserved my shirt. I'm also trying to help spread the work among my circle of friends. I've posted your site on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog (www.abstractrandom.com).
I really respect you for doing this. I know that it probably is eating up a lot of your time, but it is inspiring, and is for a great cause.
P.S. Steve, I think I know you from church in Auburn, WA years ago?
3 months ago
Hi,
This is a very good thing you are doing. Thank you. I have promoted it on my blog too.
http://blog.ruderetro.com/2008/05/24/fifty-thousand-shirts/
2 months ago
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