Dubuque Man Sells "Help Haiti" T-shirts

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Jan 20, 2010 at 4:26 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 20, 2010 at 6:23 PM CST

DUBUQUE -The images of earthquake victims in Haiti tug the heart strings of many people here in the United States. And many people are looking for ways to help.

One Dubuque business owner is selling t-shirts to raise funds for the American Red Cross.

An Ocean away, Tom Rauen didn't think he had the ability to help the earthquake victims he saw on TV.

But the small business owner has a screen printer and hundreds of blank t-shirt, so he got to work.

Rauen said, "the shirts say: "Help Haiti" and they have a picture of Haiti and a band aid."

He and his crew are now busy filling orders for customers in Dubuque and beyond.

Rauen said, “we sent message out on Facebook, Twitter, any social network and sending out e-mails."

He's selling the shirts for ten dollars each. Rauen says he will donate every cent to the Red Cross's Relief Efforts.

Rauen said, “I am hoping in a couple of weeks from now we can write out a check to the American Red Cross for $25,000."

But this t-shirt tale takes a twist. The people who first sewed the shirts are earthquake victims themselves.

Rauen said, “our shirts are made in Haiti and the Gildan Factory where we get our shirts from was actually taken down in the earthquake."

The Gildan Company appreciated Rauen's efforts and gave him these shirts for a fraction of the cost.

Now he hopes return the favor by getting funds to those who need it most.

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