Volunteers help send out t-shirts that raised money for hurricane victims

Delaney Butler

Tuesday, Sep 19, a group of high school volunteers helped local boutique, Cupcakes and Cheer, send out hurricane shirts that were sold to raise money for Hurricane Harvey victims.

“There were about 4,000 shirts sold, which meant I needed an abundant amount of help,” said boutique owner Whitney Johns. “It took working 8 a.m. to midnight to get all of the shirts shipped. I had at least 50 people help me throughout the week!”

Three high school students, Alyson Bloomer, Colton Leach, and Camille Acker, went to the boutique after school to aid in the relief effort. They each had various jobs, including to fold, bag up, and label the shirts, then clean up the trash that was left over.

“We sorted through the sizes, folded the shirts neatly, bagged them, sealed them, and tossed them into the box with the correct color and size,” said Leach. “We tried to mimic an assembly-line, by having a few people fold, others bag, and then some label and help ship out.”

National Art Honor Society member, Camille Acker, was eager to help out Cupcakes & Cheer. “I was able to spend time with friends, and even if I didn’t get to go to Houston to help out, I was still getting to be a part of the relief effort,” said Acker. “I was able to mix my passion of helping others while receiving community service ours for my NAHS membership. Not to mention, it didn’t hurt that my job had to deal with something I love… fashion!”

After a drawn-out week, with lengthy hours, Whitney can now focus back on Cupcakes and Cheer’s fall sales, knowing the hurricane shirts are sent out. “I’m so thankful to everyone who volunteered! I’d still be shipping these shirts if I had not had help,” said Johns, “What’s most important is that $45,000 was donated to help those in need!”