The Student Association hosted a T-shirt drive between Jan. 9 and Jan. 17 to benefit Harding’s Theatron and an organization called Reclaimed.
According to SA president Bruce McMullen, the SA set a goal of collecting 10,000 T-shirt donations. McMullen said he estimated close to 4,000 shirts were donated.
“Having a successful T-shirt drive is something simple,” McMullen said. “If we can share that with why we’re doing it, that’s huge.”
The majority of the T-shirts collected will be going to Theatron to raise money to help fund their summer tour. According to Theatron member Barrett Smith, selling recycled T-shirts is a great way for them to leave a piece of their message with the children they perform for.
“We come second to God’s will, and if we use ourselves up for him daily, he will constantly recycle and renew us,” Smith said.
Junior Amanda Abla said the T-shirts are a great way to leave an impression.
“The stamped shirts, like Theatron itself, share a message in an unconventional way,” said Abla. “It’s a great vehicle to let others know what we’re about.”
The remaining T-shirts will benefit an organization called Reclaimed. According to themaingroup.com, this organization takes used T-shirts and cuts them into scrap material for women in other countries to sew back together and sell. This organization provides these people with clothing and jobs.
Reclaimed has outlets all around the world, but this particular T-shirt drive will benefit the women in Nicaragua.
McMullen said this T-shirt drive is about much more than throwing in a few old shirts; it’s about making a change in the world and on campus.
“If everybody on campus grasped that concept, we would have over 20,000 shirts,” McMullen said. “All I can think of is we need to ask ‘why?'”
He said it is not difficult to reach into one’s closet and give up a few old T-shirts, but the action will change people’s lives.
“If we don’t change our lives and our hearts to make a difference, then nothing is going to change out there,” McMullen said.
