I do have mixed feelings about charity t-shirts. Assuming that the people in need actually get some benefit from them I think it is a good thing in general. But how can we be sure that they do? Even through registered charity organizations there are risks.

And even though it would be nice if people were doing it for the right reasons, to help the people in need, I guess some are doing it for business reasons. You know, to get attention for their brand or something like that. But I suppose if the people in need are helped the motivation shouldn’t be that important. The means to an end.

And then there is the motivation of the people who buy the tees. Do they want to help or do they want people to know they helped. For these tees though, they don’t scream “I’m charitable” and they look awesome so I think I would give you a pass.

Sorry for the ramble…a bit of sleep deprivation.

The shirts are available on the Grey Matter website and were both designed by Sebastian Errazuriz.

Sebastian Errazuriz’s studio was paralyzed after the hurricane. Unable to work and tired of watching the horrible disaster unfold on the news, Errazuriz decided to design something to help raise much-needed relief funds. This idea occurred to him after seeing the water line marked on the walls of the flooded galleries in New York’s Chelsea art district.

I saw the same lines in downtown Yokohama about 5 years ago. Some businesses were permanently shut down. It’s pretty tough.

100% of the profit goes to Hurricane Sandy relief programs.They are $40 each.

Link: Grey Matter