SPOKANE, Wash. — "Together, We Can Spokane." It's more than a catchy phrase, it's a way of life in the Inland Northwest. During the good and the bad and everything in between, the Inland Northwest has a generous spirit.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to live differently, and for some this means access to resources has become more difficult. Its this need that inspired a local company to create shirts to raise money for our neighbors.
Absolute Apparel, is a web-based business located in Spokane, they primariy sell custom apparel, the owner, Darby Santos said her team wanted to create something to do their part.
"What can I do with the resources that I have? So I was like maybe I could cut up my shirts and make masks for the medical field or whatever, for two days I was like what can I do, I need to do something," Santos said.
Santos brainstormed with her team and they came up with a design that says, "Together, We Can Spokane." To them, the phrase represents how the Inland Northwest is stepping up to support local and it's that generosity that's keeping some businesses afloat.
"If we keep doing this, we're going to be okay, we got this, together we got this!" Santos said.
All of the proceeds will help people in the community to gain access to much-needed supplies during the coronavirus pandemic. Resources are running thin and finding hand sanitizer isn't easy.
It's why Dry Fly created "Spokanitizer" or hand sanitizer for anyone who needs it.
"What they're doing is phenomenal, and I was like that's it, this is my ah ha moment, this is who I'm going to donate to and this is what I'm going to do," Santos explained.
The goal was to raise $400, but Spokane knew they could do better than that. Within days Santos sold hundreds of shirts and raised $1,000 and counting. It's just one of many ways people are showing that we're Inland Together.
"People writing, we got this Spokane on fences and all that kind of stuff it is just incredible all the people that have just rallied together during this time," Santos said.
Santos hopes when people see this shirt that they remember we're in this together.
This specific design is only being sold through Friday, March 27. On Saturday, they plan on delivering a check to Dry Fly. If you would like to order one, you can visit Absolute Apparel's website.