CommonThreadz Donates a Uniform to an Orphan for Every Purchase
by Kristin Underwood, Sacramento, CA 
on 09.10.08
Image source: Common Threadz
Common Threadz, not to be confused with Patagonia's recycling program, has a buy-one-give-one type program meaning that for every item you purchase, the store will donate one school uniform to an orphan in Africa. Once Common Threadz pays for the uniform with profits from your purchase, any money left over is then donated directly to the nonprofit associated with the tshirts' design. The current non-profit is the Coalition for Educational and Scientific Literacy Assistance or CESLA, which provides the uniforms to school children, among other things.
Why is this program so important? No school uniform = no school for many children in South Africa. This program is doubly important as the uniforms are going to children who don't have a family to purchase uniforms for them. Each of the designs is created by a famous artist or celebrity, so there isn't one distinct look for the tshirts, though most of the themes deal with nature or people in some manner. The t-shirts are limited edition (only 250 printed), and most are 100% organic - they will all be printed on 100% organic tees by next year - and they use water based inks. Common Threadz is also working towards a zero carbon footprint for all of its operations.
Want to get more involved? Common Threadz is organizing trips where volunteers can help pass out school uniforms, supplies and food to children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Got a good idea for community project? They will begin taking submissions in 2009 for new projects, which are put up for vote and the winners will be the target of future fundraising campaigns. The organization also runs awareness campaigns through the media to further educate the public and build support for the cause. One method is to use txt message codes on the tshirt where you can use the code to purchase the tshirt via phone.
You can purchase tshirts and gift certificates online. You can also send a text message CTDONATE to 467467 to donate today or visit them online at Common Threadz.
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Hey Kristin-- Great story about a cool program. Another similar program is run by the Kona Bicycle Co. who donate well-built AfricaBikes to home healthcare workers in sub-Saharan Africa to assist them in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. Since 2005, Kona has donated 1,500 bikes and for every 2 bikes that consumers buy worldwide, Kona donates 1 to their Biketown Africa program. People can also make cash donations too. It was just on Good Morning America, check it: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5713248.
Also check www.konabiketown.com and www.konaworld.com.
Let me know if you have any questions about the program. Possible story?
What a great thing to see. It makes you feel like there still is enough good in the world to outweigh the negative.
Hi Kristin-- just came across what Common Threadz are doing with their Buy One Give One project.
This is a super cool project and one that will benefit the kids heaps. Probably in Africa it's like in India - if the kids don't have a uniform they cannot go to school even if school is free.
More and more businesses are switching on to Buy One Give One transactional giving now - such powerful stories like what the Kona Bicycle Co. is doing and other companies like BOGO Light ...
There is a global organization called Buy1GIVE1™ now that supports any business anywhere in the world to do Buy1-Give1 giving. They are doing amazing work with businesses in about 9 countries now and charities in about six countries. They are at www.buy1-give1free.com.
David Anttony