I woke up yesterday feeling anxious. I was grumpy, funky, snappy, surly. It felt like the last thing I wanted to do but I know better, so I dressed for a run and heaved myself out the door.
It was cold and windy. I pushed the stroller up hill, barely moving, breathing hard. It immediately felt good. I love that I am always surprised by that. I thought about the explosions at the Boston marathon and how much it sucks. I thought about how stuff like that happens every day all over the world that I don’t know much about. It’s hard to know what to do when unimaginable tragedy happens. And yet, I do always want to *do* something. I dedicated my run to Boston, pushing love out toward everyone and everything with my every step. I meditated on love, while talking to Ruby about deer, clouds and pizza. With every step I thought about hugging pain and grief. I pushed loved into the universe with every breath. Because, that I CAN DO.
My business donates items and makes charitable contributions to important organizations. But, I want to do more. I’ve been waiting for something to snap into focus, something that dig this chick can give to regularly, meaningfully and tangibly. On my run, it occurred to me. Love it when that happens.
Here at dig, we lovingly craft items, for the love of place. Places break. Places like Columbine, Haiti, New Orleans, Indonesia, Manhattan, Iraq, Newtown. These places and their people rely on our love – yours and mine – to rebuild, to mend. We are all in this together.
Today, we are beginning our Geo For Love campaign. We will regularly craft a limited edition item featuring a place that needs our love, a place that we love. We will sew a heart on the hurting place, stitching slowly and thoughtfully. We will sell the item as a fundraising tool, donating profits, combined with all of the purchasers letters of support to a cause. We will begin today, with Boston.
You can buy this Massachusetts shirt with a love heart on Boston and profit will go to the One Fund Boston, a relief organization in place to help the Boston Marathon explosion victims and victims’ families.
We are making sizes 2T-2XL. The kid shirts are gray, the adult shirts are blue (see listing). They are $36 each. We (“we” being Andy, Ruby, Margot and me!) will donate $18 of each sale to One Fund Boston. And, for every 10 shirts sold, we will donate one. I don’t know exactly how the shirt donation will work yet but I know it will happen. I welcome your suggestions.
Here, Margot asked what the heart was for. I told her Boston. She wanted to know more and I told her people were sad and hurting in a city called Boston in a state called Massachusetts. She said, “Oh and the heart is for love?” Our kids get it.
As this is a new initiative and one that I hope grows and grows to support places all over our big (little) world, I am anticipating some kinks, some ways to give better, love more. I appreciate any thoughts you might have on how to facilitate giving better and loving more. Thanks in advance for your smart ideas.
When you wear this shirt: feel love, share love, show love. We will.
26 Comments
I love this idea. They need all the LOVE they can get but THEY/WE are strong and will never betaken down.
love this!! you and your family are amazing!!
Such a great idea! I have a feeling you’re going to be very busy making these.
What a wonderful idea, Nici!
what a great idea from your business, Nici – though no one wants these beyond awful events to happen in their home (or anywhere), the amazingness of the community and kindess afterwards is so incredible. It’s felt really nice to see all of the kindness pouring in from all over the world. I wish we could capture the togetherness and feel it on all of the ordinary days too.
I’ll keep my eyes peeled to see if there are any avenues that make sense for the donated shirts – and I’ll send them your way if I hear of something that seems to make sense.
I think this is just totally awesome, totally you!
I LOVE this. Your run inspired me, and then you went on with it. Thank you for sharing your love, and for inspiring others to do the same. Your blog, your family, your surroundings….are all So uplifting to me. I am so glad I found Kelle Hampton’s blog, and through hers, your’s!! From Saint Paul, MN, to the West, feeling the love tonight. 🙂
I have purposefully stayed away from the news the last few days because I don’t want my energy spent on the negative that sometimes churns after horrific events.. But *this* – your incredible idea – is totally something I can get behind. Focus on the love, generosity, and wholehearted spirit of our fellow humans… I think that breeds more of the same and shapes a world I am proud to be a part of. All that to say, I love your idea! Thank you for putting your heart out there and encouraging me to do the same. And of course, I love the shirts too!
Oh I just love you. This is a great, no amazing idea!!! What is it they say when disaster like this strikes? ‘look for the helpers’ even far away from Boston you are a helper. xxxxx
so I totally just bought a top, so excited!
This is great, Nici. Really lovely way to help. I always struggle with how to publicly respond after a tragedy. There are so many tragedies in this world. We are somewhat sheltered here, but not immune and it’s always so sad to be reminded of this.
I love this. And I love that it’s not hard to find good in this world even in the wake of bad. Thank you.
You are amazing. When tragedy strikes and the world seems a miserable place, I’m going to try and remember that there are people like you out there trying to make it better with just a little bit of love.
Thank you so much for all you’re doing! And for giving this sad world some hope.
Thank youNici!! What a great idea. My go to is to write music… This one still seems to raw right now, but like you I will lace up my shoes and run- for that is when I gain clarity.
We are lucky to have your bright energy in Missoula- and the world is also lucky to have you healing hearts;)
This is such a wonderful idea. Could you make this in a v-neck for those of us who can’t wear crew neck?
sure! It will cost a bit more because I’d need to special order. I do have a scoop neck women’s style in stock…
What a beautiful, thoughtful idea. I love that you’re doing this. I love that your kids model the love shirts. I love that they know & understand love. I know that all we can do, each & every one of us, is love. Thank you for spreading love.
I’m so glad you wake up every day.
Nici,
Thank you for creating the heart Boston t-shirts. Your creativity and generosity of spirit is commendable.
I clicked on the links to order but was unsure how to order correctly, can you contact me through email. I would like to order a couple of t-shirts. I would love to wear your t-shirt as I walk around Boston.
Hi Colleen,
The shirts sold out so quickly! We just listed a few more. They won’t ship until June. If this works for you, here is the link! Thanks. 🙂 https://www.etsy.com/listing/129713476/geo-for-love-boston?ref=shop_home_active
Nici
You have such a big heart, love. I adore it. And meanwhile you’re setting a really good example for us just-starting-uppers.
As a runner, a blogger, a small business owner and a friend – xo.
Geo For Love: Boston | dig this chick Dottie Brookshire http://sextoys.blog.com/2013/05/04/great-sex-was-longer-for-men-at-15-years/
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