T-shirt fundraiser for Colorado wildfire relief takes off

Graphic designers thought they were doing some good for the Colorado Springs relief effort, but when their T-shirt fundraiser became an overwhelming success, they realized they had struck a chord.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — When the wind pushed the Waldo Canyon blaze over the crest of the mountains toward this community one week ago, young business owners and designers here set out to raise money for the victims.

"There was a real feeling of helplessness," says one of the initiators, Tucker Wannamaker, who owns a small marketing firm. "You just wanted to do something."

The goal was to design and sell enough T-shirts to raise $1,500, which they figured was more than they could donate if they each wrote a check.

Wild Fire Tees


But they miscalculated — by 21,300 percent. With the aid of social media, online orders for their artfully designed Wild Fire Tees generated $320,000 within six days. They said they plan to donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the food bank Care and Share and the Colorado Red Cross, two organizations at the heart of the relief operation here.

They quickly realized they couldn’t handle the volume of printing in house, so they looped in a local T-shirt shop to help, and now are arranging larger-scale production in Denver, said Wannamaker.

Now the group -- a dozen or so business owners and designers, along with assorted partners and babies in tow -- are hunkered down, vetting new designs and answering calls for orders while working out the logistics of delivering the goods. 

Red Cross volunteers in the trenches for wildfire in Colorado

Orders even came from Canada, Denmark and Britain, Wannamaker says, with a huge spike of orders right after the majority of houses were destroyed last week.

One of the latest ideas is for people to donate money for T-shirts that are to be given to firefighters as tokens of appreciation. Wild Fire Tees has sold 650 of them – well on their way to 1,000 orders needed to outfit the entire army battling the blaze.

4 dead in crash that grounds firefighting C-130s 

The sudden volume of money coming in for T-shirts set off alarms at PayPal and set the little group scrambling to complete registration of their nonprofit with the federal government — a headache, one of the team says, but a good problem to have.

Wild Fire Tees has adjusted their fundraising goal, to $500,000 for distribution to wildfire relief statewide.

Follow Kari Huus on Facebook

Volunteers from the American Red Cross explain what goes into the relief effort around the wildfires at Colorado Springs.

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Jump to discussion page: 1 2

Congrats to the T-shirt makers very worthy cause. To the reporter of the article you could have posted the website to buy the shirts in the article.

  • 14 votes
#1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 11:31 AM EDT
Comment author avatarWayne WilkinsExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

B.S. this is a money scam... No one should be making money off of that fire! Let their insurance pay for their STUPIDTY......

  • 4 votes
#1.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:40 PM EDT

I bet you get a really big check from your insurance company every day.

  • 2 votes
#1.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:54 PM EDT

Wayne, get a grip. If you actually read the article, the money is going to the Red Cross and Care and Share, not directly to the homeowners. A large portion of the money is going to the firefighters, many of whom do not have health insurance. So please, calm yourself and stop with the rant. This tragedy does not affect you, so it's amazing to see why you care so much. Put the crack pipe down, sir.

  • 23 votes
#1.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:29 PM EDT

Ski', couldn't have said it better myself.

I'll bet the old geezer (I'm looking at the picture) is a 'compassionate conservative'. . . . you'll pardon the oxymoron.

  • 6 votes
#1.4 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:50 PM EDT

SkiCO267,

Just curious, where is your data to back up the claims that "many of whom do not have healthcare"? You can't go around making up statistics and facts in an attempt to validate your outrageous claims, oh wait, yes you can, forgot we were on MSNBC

  • 1 vote
#1.5 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:47 PM EDT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/06/27/uninsured-and-fighting-blazes-welcome-to-the-life-of-a-federal-firefighter/

You're welcome. One of many places you will find backup to what I said. Many of these workers are seasonal/temporary, and do not have health insurance. This is a fact. Please do some research before you make ridiculous comments. Thanks.

  • 12 votes
#1.6 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:54 PM EDT

http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_20919090

Another source. Care to show me YOUR statistics that discredit what I've said?

I doubt I will be seeing you post again.

  • 8 votes
#1.7 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:01 PM EDT

...and down goes another troll!

  • 9 votes
#1.8 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:03 PM EDT

Temporary Employees

You are excluded from FEHB coverage if you are:

serving under an appointment limited to one year or less and you have not completed at least one year of current continuous employment, excluding any break in service of 5 days or less;

or expected to work less than 6 months in each year.

http://www.opm.gov/insure/archive/handbook/fehb06.asp#Temporary

  • 1 vote
#1.9 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:07 PM EDT

Why are people that post on the internet so freaking ANGRY? If you don't want to give money - don't do it. Internet commenters need to check their attitude.

  • 11 votes
#1.10 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:43 PM EDT

A large portion of the money is going to the firefighters, many of whom do not have health insurance.

Huh? That's nowhere in this article. The money is going to "Care and Share," a FOOD BANK, and the "Colorado Red Cross," who will take out an administrative fee, feed, and maybe house those affected.

Are you saying this money is going to "buy" life insurance for the firefighters?


Firefighter insurance, you must have gotten that lie from FOX news.

  • 1 vote
#1.11 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:26 PM EDT

This is nice, but as a home owner. You need to have homeowners insurance to cover things like this. If you do not, then sorry, but you shouldn't be asking people to start your lives over for you.

Learn to downsize and rent until your insurance comes thru and rebuilds for you.

I know what it's like to lose everything since I was in a home explosion, and we lost everything. We had to rebuild our lives from the ground up, and we didn't get help from strangers other than the church that raised about 30k for me, and then took the money and bought himself a home with it back in 1975.

I gave money to the 9/11 fund raising, and learned later the people holding the boots were ripping off the people in CA.

If you do donate, then make sure its going to the right people and not some scam of people making these shirts and selling them to the people on the streets and swap-meets.

  • 3 votes
#1.12 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:50 PM EDT

Why is everyone so angry and cynical? Put down your iPhone, shut off the computer, turn off the TV and read a book. I think people forget that we have choices. They may not be the right choice, but should we punish those that help us in correcting the situation....re: the firefighters and their support teams.

  • 2 votes
#1.13 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 9:22 PM EDT

Is there anything like this for Montana? They are in need as well. Maybe more...loss of cattle=loss of job=homeless and no insurance covers all that is lost.

    #1.14 - Fri Jul 6, 2012 8:34 PM EDT
    Reply

    By the way I bought 5, 2 each for me and the wife and 1 for one of the guys on the line. God bless

    • 10 votes
    Reply#2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 11:48 AM EDT

    website link??

      #2.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:22 PM EDT

      www.wildfiretees.com

      • 1 vote
      #2.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:24 PM EDT
      Reply
      Comment author avatarWayne WilkinsExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

      This is B.S.! Everyone of those people were living where they shouldn't have! Just because they want a fricken view, so the tore up the view by building right in the middle of fire country! Same as the people that build in the River bottoms area and then whine and cry every year when they get flooded out! Well these folks knew of a fire hazard and still chose to buy and build there... That's their stupid faults!

      Now they want MONEY, hell they have homeowners insurance! To cover ALL their loses! All their tryuing to do is become instant millionaires off the backs of other less fortunet people by playing on their feeling for them being completely stupid from the beginning!

      Now these idiots have RUINED the view by building there, instead of driving by with a camera and taking photo's without any houses and going back to where they belong!

      People in this country are so fricken stupid it isn't funny!

      NO ONE SEND A DIME TO THEM! Let their insurance pay them.....

      • 1 vote
      Reply#3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 12:38 PM EDT

      Psycho old man

      • 6 votes
      #3.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:52 PM EDT

      Have you considered a move to a place more to your liking? A country with Sharia law would suit just fine.

      • 6 votes
      #3.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:52 PM EDT

      Well, it's true that allowing people to build inside of National Forests has prevented the normal, slow burns that nature uses to clear underbrush because putting out smaller fires over the course of decades to protect homes is what causes the extreme fire conditions that now exist. And fighting those fires somehow ends up using federal money. I do believe the feds should go after the homeowners' insurance for reimbursement.

      Now is not the right time to debate if homes should be allowed in remote areas without very large fire insurance coverage.

      Very real people are fighting these fires RIGHT NOW. The hotshot firefighters are all considered seasonal workers, even though they work 16 hour shifts in horrific conditions and their hours end up totaling full time in the long run. Yet they are denied health insurance. Yes. They and their families have no health insurance. New story is that now four pilots are dead. At least they were military. At least their families will be able to afford funerals. Without having to sell t-shirts.

      • 1 vote
      #3.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:10 PM EDT

      Where exactly are people allowed to build inside a National Forest?

      And fighting those fires somehow ends up using federal money. I do believe the feds should go after the homeowners' insurance for reimbursement.

      Since in this case the fire started in a National Forest should the insurance companies get to go after the feds for reimbursement? Should the families of the people that died be allowed to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the feds?

      • 1 vote
      #3.4 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:18 PM EDT

      Wayne: People just like you are a real pain in my as$ and the rest of the BLM, Forest Service, National PArk Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and countless hundreds more of my brothers/sisters in arms who are doing what they know how to do best: Stop the fire. You sir, are sadly mis-informed and doubltessly NOT living any where near the state of Colorado or any other that is expirenceing wildfires on a scale not seen in some time. So when or if, or until you ever decide to get off your dead sorry sad as$ and DO something other than rant and rave about a finely tuned bunch of people, the likes of which you will never meet, let the rest of us do what we do best. You better hope like hell your aea never blows up on a wildfire. To the rest: LETS DO THIS!!!....buy em...and get those shirts to the ones who I know for a solid fact represent some of the best people that ever walked on this countrys soil.

      RUCK UP!

      • 5 votes
      #3.5 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:18 PM EDT

      You are an idiot. Enough said.

        #3.6 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:19 PM EDT

        Why are people allowed to build where there are tornadoes? Or hurricanes? Or in high rise apartments?

          #3.7 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:29 PM EDT

          I suppose the same could be said for the settlers, colonist's and the people who took their wagons west. Dagnabit... people just can't live like rats and learn to love it!

          I'd like to know where YOU live? Please, tell me, where is your "paradise" that is so eco-friendly that you aren't leaving a carbon foot print? Oh... and while I'm on the subject, which state do you live in that doesn't have natural or man made disasters happen?

          Better yet... what color is the sky in your world?

          Have a little compassion and please... learn some common sense! If you are really using a picture of you... looks like you're old enough to have gained some! Your spelling is horrible. Quite obviously, you haven't been schooled or retained anything learned.

            #3.8 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 4:32 AM EDT

            Wayne Wilkins so bitter about people helping people.

            Make sure you stay that way when you need help from a disaster that is out of your control.

            Natural disasters occur around the world and in every nook and cranny Wayne.

            With your logic no one should live anywhere.

            BTW Wayne its not those who lost their homes that created the shirts to help raise money its a group of people with a little compassion to aide their fellow Americans.

            Something you are clearly lacking.

            • 2 votes
            #3.9 - Fri Jul 6, 2012 11:22 PM EDT
            Reply
            Comment author avatarseattle oneExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

            Get a Grip Wilkins - you're just a nasty old man. They were in a contiguous suburb. Yes the city has grown since you were a kid - so has the general population. Hopefully you did your part to limit the population growth.

            • 7 votes
            Reply#4 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:06 PM EDT
            Comment author avatarWayne WilkinsExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

            I have a grip! None of ya'll do! Only IDIOTS build out where they shouldn't! Your talking like a mental midget! They can live in the inner city area's and drive out and enjoy a view! Look how these IDIOTS whine and cry about wildlife in their yards, yet they move to the wildlifes home.....Go back to school and really try to get educated you fool.

            • 2 votes
            #4.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:52 PM EDT
            Comment author avatarTerry Davisvia Facebook

            Thank You, seattle one. We need to keep the positivity in this community intact. Certainly, don't need or want to hear from imbeciles like Wilkins, who has no basis for his nasty remarks !

            • 5 votes
            #4.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:59 PM EDT

            The city hasn't grown it that the people keep spreading out and that's the problem... Everyone now drive 25 to 30 miles each way to work cause they want that view! This also goes for the farmlands, all these developers buy up the farmlands real cheap and are taking our food source away and soon won't be able to grow our own food are have forest lands to enjoy!

            When inside the cities are blight area that can be used to build housing and already have exsisting utilities in place yet they set abandoned and rotting away. There are so many empty houses for sale in the intercities it isn't funny! Let these Idiots buy those and remodel them, let the developers rebuild the blight ares in the cities.... Simple answer!

            But ya'll don't bother to think and want to feel sorry for those that have built in the woods....and have ruined things there. What use to be open land where you could hunt, hike and enjoy is now private property!!!!!! Terry I'm the one that's positive your the mental midget!

            Americans are the most stupid people in the World! That's why this country is in the mess it is....

            If those people would be where they should be, this wouldn't ba an article or a problem.. It would be just a forest fire! This is a MAN made disaster not a nature one....They stated that guns, trains and cigarettes caused these fire and every bit of that is MAN!

            Americans are whiners and cryers a bunch of whimps! In other countries when there is a disater the people don't whine and cry, they just get on with life!

            All these home owners have insurance, let them pay the policy holders or else they'll be much richer than you and never learn a lesson! They'll just pull the same crap over and over.

            So get a clue! I, have a grip on the situation.......

              #4.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 10:10 PM EDT

              Sir, you don't have a grip on what being an American means, much less the situation!

              If you choose to live in the city, more power to you! Don't belittle and degrade other's who choose to live in suburbs!

              I will no longer make this about you and your ignorance.

              I WILL give praise and my respect to those who are helping with the horrible fire. My heart and prayers go out to all the families affected by this horrible fire. I'm glad people are stepping up to help the firefighters, the Red Cross and Care And Share!

              • 1 vote
              #4.4 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 4:38 AM EDT

              Wayne, I'll bet your dog doesn't even like you. What a mean spirit you have.

              • 1 vote
              #4.5 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 7:39 AM EDT
              Reply
              Comment author avatarSara DeRosevia Facebook

              Thanks for the shout-out MSNBC -- Since there's not a link, we wanted to let people know to go to our website at Wildfiretees.com to buy a tee. You can buy one for yourself, donate one to a firefighter, or buy one for crazy commenters who think we're a scam! (We're not).

              • 9 votes
              Reply#5 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:01 PM EDT

              Sara, while I am sorry for the loss many suffered, I have to say the citizens of your state brought this on themselves with their "NO TAXES!!" mentality!! I do not believe in throwing good money after bad so I will not donate to a state where public servants such as firefighters, police and teachers as seen as a "drain" on society. It was thanks to these "freeloaders" that many houses were saved, yet the controling political party in Colorado are seeking to take away their public pension of those who just risked their lives saving others property.

              I hope, in appreciation to those who fought against the fire, your state wakes up and throws out the Republican Party. I hope the people of Colorado really see how much their tax dollars WORKED for them. I hope they are grateful to those who risked their lives and don't begrudge these hard working people their pensions!! I hope the citizens of Colorado stand up against their Governor and fight FOR the pensions of publicn workers!!

              • 1 vote
              #5.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:09 PM EDT

              Looks like you believe in being vindictive and talking out of the part of your body that you sit on.

              • 1 vote
              #5.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:21 PM EDT

              Bassai, What I am being is realistic. My state doesn't have money to bail out other states because they are shortsighted. The voters of Colorado made their choice, they were warned if they voted for tax cuts what might happen. The worst happened!

              They took the risk, they lost! Why does that mean my state, who fights to keep public servants on the payrolls, especially emergency services, have to save their a$$es. Fighting Fires is costly and why should I have to pay the bill because the residents of Colorado wanted to put a few extra dollars in THEIR pocket. I could be really callous and say we should privatize emergency services and those who can't put it on credit deserves to have their houses burn down. That is what the Republican party wants, instead I think Colorado should reimburse the states that came to help.

                #5.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:02 PM EDT

                First, you guys realize that we have a Democratic Governor right? And that we voted Democratic in the 2008 Presidential election?

                Second, any state that does come to help gets reimbursed by the State or Federal Government...depending on the circumstances.

                • 1 vote
                #5.4 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:29 PM EDT

                Ahh, Sara DeRose, one of the poster above says you're using this money to buy health insurance for firefighters. Which is a FLAT OUT LIE! Care to correct him?

                SkiCO267

                A large portion of the money is going to the firefighters, many of whom do not have health insurance. Put the crack pipe down, sir.

                #1.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 1:29 PM CDT

                • 1 vote
                #5.5 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:38 PM EDT

                blueingoregon

                Bassai, What I am being is realistic. My state doesn't have money to bail out other states because they are shortsighted. The voters of Colorado made their choice, they were warned if they voted for tax cuts what might happen.

                Show us a little realism. What tax cuts?

                  #5.6 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:01 PM EDT

                  blueingoregon:

                  This isn't primarily a State problem; it's Federal. The land where the fire started and where the fire primarily is - is U.S. Forest Service land! As is the High Park fire west of Fort Collins. The government changed forestry policy (due to the Democrats) and no longer allow logging nor do they thin the forests. The new policy is to let the forest burn the excess, "the natural way." It really has nothing to do with our local fire department, which is not funded by the state either... We have had to cut services due to the economy, just like everyone else, but obviously when there's a huge fire, the call goes out for help.

                  We've been blessed to have the aid of many other fire departments in Colorado as well as the military, Hot Shot teams from several states, and so many more.

                  NO ONE could predict 65 mph winds and the fire blowing up as it did. The Forest Service fire fighters had seen nothing like the combination of: high temp, steep terrain, low humidity, and high wind like we experienced last Tuesday.

                  • 2 votes
                  #5.7 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 7:21 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  Imagine if we, the people, came together to help each other in instances like this due to natural disasters and totally kept the government out of it? $5, $10, or $20 each is reasonable. If we want, as it seems more people do, the government to back off with their hands in everything, we should start involving ourselves in issues where we can help each other.

                  Anyone know where to order the shirts from?

                  • 3 votes
                  Reply#6 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:10 PM EDT

                  You do know that our government is we the people right? Or would be if people wouldn't keep trying to break it (or drown it in a bathtub, or hadn't declared that soul-less foreign corporations were American people, etc)

                  • 1 vote
                  #6.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:21 PM EDT

                  Without the government having their hands in everything there would have been thousands of homes lost instead of hundreds and there would have been hundreds of people dead instead of two. Without the amazing Wildland Firefighters holding the south western line on Saturday, the fire would have jumped south across US Highway 24 and reduced several communities to ash and ran all the way to the tree line of Pikes Peak. Without them holding the North Eastern line at Blodgett peak the fire would have ran into the Air Force Academy and into the communities to the north of it. Without the Urban Firefighters fighting house by house on Tuesday and Wednesday an entire valley of subdivisions would all be ash instead of a few streets. Without the government agencies working together to plan, prepare and implement emergency strategies, thousands of people would not have had the time to evacuate and our friends would have been killed in traffic jams escaping the area. Without surrounding governments pitching in, normal emergencies outside of the fire zone would have gone without emergency services. All the anti government types need to get over themselves. With a few issues regarding data and information not withstanding, every agency that touched this fire did an AMAZING JOB!! And the thing we need to take from this is this is what they do EVERY DAY. It just usually happens on a smaller scale or in a less populated areas so they dont get the recognition they deserve. Donate a shirt to a firefighter so they know you appreciate them, even if its not all the time. And then start talking to your congress people about getting the wildland firefighters some frickin health insurance. And never forget that their jobs never end, even if it didnt get on the news that day.

                  • 9 votes
                  #6.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:34 PM EDT
                  Comment author avatarTerry Davisvia Facebook

                  Awesome, DonL72 !! All, true ... Bravooo

                  • 3 votes
                  #6.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:32 PM EDT

                  Thank you, DonL72. And thank you to all the brave residents of our state and to those who traveled here from other states to fight these fires.

                  • 3 votes
                  #6.4 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 2:59 AM EDT

                  Donl72...they will be getting insurance soon...did you forget the Supreme Court ruling this week...they will buy it or be taxed...so people did contact the congress and get them insurance.

                  • 1 vote
                  #6.5 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 8:41 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  This is a great idea. They are great people with with awesome hearts. I used to live in Colorado Springs and left in the 90's, but I still consider it home. I ordered a Tee a few days ago. Sara pointed the way to the correct site.

                  • 5 votes
                  Reply#7 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:32 PM EDT
                  Comment author avatarTucker Wannamakervia Facebook

                  Awesome Russell! Thanks for the kind comments.

                  • 1 vote
                  #7.1 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 3:03 AM EDT
                  Reply

                  I took this about 1 week prior to the fire, this is about the center of the burn area

                  https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wXlblEXRd_I/T-sCQ-YM2MI/AAAAAAAAO-I/deBJAu_z6Kg/s912/DSC_0208.jpg

                    Reply#8 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:58 PM EDT

                    Wow, so much green, something I don't get to see much where I live...it's beautiful.

                    • 1 vote
                    #8.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:02 PM EDT

                    and part of it's natural cycle is it burns. so it's not wise to build homes there.

                    • 1 vote
                    #8.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:08 PM EDT

                    So we shouldn't, according to you , live anywhere that has trees?

                      #8.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 11:24 PM EDT
                      Reply
                      Comment author avatarAllyson Buckvia Facebook

                      Congratulations to Wild Fire Tees! They are donating 100% of their profits to local charities like Colorado Red Cross and Care and Share. These folks have BIG hearts! More love and less hate in the world is always a good thing!!!

                      • 7 votes
                      Reply#9 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 2:59 PM EDT
                      Comment author avatarTucker Wannamakervia Facebook

                      Thanks Allyson!

                        #9.1 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 3:00 AM EDT

                        I agree, Allyson. I'll be placing my own order, and spreading the word about this site today.

                          #9.2 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 7:45 AM EDT
                          Reply

                          Congratulations Wildfire Tees! That's incredible! And mister old man who has nothing better to do than tear down the spirit of a community coming together to help others in need - go take a nap or something! Should a natural disaster affect your life, I hope no one offers you any assistance, even your insurance! This world is so full of hate and would be much better off without yahoo's like yourself. For those of you who do want to support, go to www.wildfiretees.com.

                          • 1 vote
                          Reply#10 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 3:27 PM EDT

                          Shame on these guys for not using local suppliers for this! The fire has had a negative financial impact on most local businesses.

                          What were these guys thinking?

                            Reply#11 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 3:48 PM EDT

                            They started with the locals until the sheer size of the response made it impossible.

                            • 3 votes
                            #11.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:00 PM EDT

                            I highly doubt that. I have had things produced at different local places, there is a pretty large capacity here in our town. Are you saying that local suppliers who printed for the Denver Broncos when they won the superbowl could not do this? I think not. I think that the next time any of us business owners here in Colorado Springs need graphic designers, we should go see what is available in Denver!

                              #11.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:08 PM EDT

                              we should go see what is available in Denver

                              So you are going to do what you criticize them for doing. Okay call one of those places in Denver and ask them if they have 16,000 t-shirts in stock. Let us know what you come up with.

                              • 1 vote
                              #11.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:24 PM EDT
                              Comment author avatarSara DeRosevia Facebook

                              Ruckus Apparel, who is who we're going with to print/ship the tees is in Denver, Colorado, and they are using their suppliers.

                              • 3 votes
                              #11.4 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:12 PM EDT
                              Reply

                              Colorado voted in 2010 to lower property taxes, they were told at the time that there would be less firemen and police, but they still voted the tax cut through. Well, surprise, surprise, Colorado didn't have enough firemen to contain the fire and had to pull firefighters from other states to put out their blaze. I say Colorado should reimburse all the other states and cities that sent their resources to fight this fire.

                              It's funny how you don't want to pay more in taxes to have more fighterfighters but you certainly expect everyone to pitch in and save your house when it's burning down!! The country should have done what that fire house did to the guy who didn't pay his taxes!! They should have stood back and watched Colorado Springs burn to the ground. If having a few extra dollars to spend is more important to the people than providing adquate public services then they deserve what they got!

                              Look for even more cuts if Romney gets elected! After all it was just two weeks ago he said Americans didn't WANT more firemen, police and teachers! I guess he believes that Colorado Springs should have burned to the ground! After all there aren't any billionaires living there so what does he care!

                              • 3 votes
                              Reply#12 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 3:59 PM EDT

                              What's wrong with you? I suppose we shouldn't have helped Haiti or Japan either since they weren't 100% prepared for earthquakes and tsunamis?

                              • 4 votes
                              #12.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:00 PM EDT

                              Snikt, living a in a state where Japan's refuse is washing up on our shores, I believe Japan should reimburse every dollar MY state has to spend cleaning up the debris. MY state doesn't have the money to spend cleaning up someone else's mess.

                              MY point is that if a State votes to reduce taxes to the point they can't hire or maintain adquate fire protections services then why should other states spend their precious resources to help a short sighted state? Republicans are all about personal responsiblity until they should be responsible. I am truly sorry for those who lost everything. However, this was THEIR decision when they voted, they should have to suffer the consequences of their actions. Maybe now, they will realize just how important their tax dollars are and how much their taxes are needed.

                              I doubt itthough, because they know if anything bad happens that the GOVERNMENT will swoop in and save them. At this very moment FEMA is there helping families, and yet, in a couple of weeks those who have been helped will be back to blaming the government for every wrong thing. At this very moment when thousands are without health care, Republican Governors are refusing the benefits of Obamacare. It is clear the GOVERNMENT cares more about people than the Governors do, yet the government is evil?

                              • 2 votes
                              #12.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:20 PM EDT

                              I think this situation calls for a little more compassion and a little less vindictive rage. First of all, I believe that the property tax law you are describing was voted down, and by no small margin, 75% to 25%, here is the link as support (note republicans lead the charge against lowering taxes).

                              ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Colorado_Property_Taxes,_Amendment_60_(2010)

                              Also, remember that Colorado is a purple state, not red, not blue. There is a pretty equal divide here between conservative and liberal leaning people. For as many people down there who you may believe deserve this for voting for lower property taxes, there are just as many who voted against it. And to say these people should have to pay for something that was forced on them is reprehensible, and not very much in accordance with liberal ideology.

                              Also, just how many fire fighters did you think were cut? There are 10 fires right now in the front range alone, there was no possible way to stop what happened, even with with twice the man power we currently have.

                              What is happening is a tragedy, and regardless of how you feel about what has caused it (right or wrong), it's never a good idea to stand in the way of the compassion and charity of others.

                              • 5 votes
                              #12.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:12 PM EDT

                              What a stupid post. No community or even state has the resources to fight a fire like this on their own. Firefighters are almost always called in from other areas. When that happens these heroes leave home and go risk their lives to fight these fires. And most of them are NOT eligible for health insurance, isn't that a crock?

                              • 4 votes
                              #12.4 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:03 PM EDT

                              The "let them die" mentality of the Republican party is prevalent throughout the nation.

                              When the Dixiecrats of the 1960's left the Democratic Party because they didn't want to have black people voting, they moved to the Republican party and eventually became the "moral majority" which, when proven to be neither a majority or very moral, eventually morphed into the "Tea Party." In all cases, the lack of compassion for those who have less than you is the hallmark of the modern Republican Party.

                              • 3 votes
                              #12.5 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:33 PM EDT
                              Reply

                              whatever. I wouldn't want to keep this memory alive, just ask for donations instead and move on.

                              • 1 vote
                              Reply#13 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:02 PM EDT

                              Power of the People! This is a wonderful idea - congratulations to the people who came up with the idea. We're all one country so it is right to pool resources and help where we can.

                              • 4 votes
                              Reply#14 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:17 PM EDT

                              This really just a tax.

                                Reply#15 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:19 PM EDT

                                Any time any of you oh so wonderful people feel the need to put your mouth where your money is....contact any one of a number of federal agencies and apply to be a fire fighter and then we'll see how well you do. You'd better hope like hell you dont come to my state where I and others like me will run your sorry as$es ragged every single day of rookie school. Shut your mouths and shoulder into the case at hand. YOUR state could be next...think on THAT for a few....

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#16 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 4:39 PM EDT

                                Lets celebrate the American Spirit of helping those in need!!!!!!!!!!! Leave the politics behind and just thank the men and women who are risking their lives to help save a community within our borders and it's people...American Citizens. Well done T-Shirt folks.

                                Where does all this anger come from?

                                • 4 votes
                                Reply#17 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:03 PM EDT

                                Don: well said and I couldn't agree more. Thank you for doing the job you do. Stay safe and watch your 6!!

                                  Reply#18 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 5:04 PM EDT

                                  Every once in a while there is a story that restores my faith a little bit. This is one.

                                  • 4 votes
                                  Reply#19 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:00 PM EDT
                                  Comment author avatarTucker Wannamakervia Facebook

                                  We've been inspired by how our community has pulled together in so many ways. Thank you, Brundo, for your kind comment.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  #19.1 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 2:57 AM EDT
                                  Reply

                                  My heart goes out to all those who have been inconvenienced and had their world turned upside down by this natural tragedy. My family has been sustaining flooding for about 14 years now, 3 times last year. They keep promising, and promising- never delivering. We are on a buyout list but they claim not to have the money. Last year they gave out money to all who applied for a food loss....problem is most of the recipients weren't affected by the situation. the politicans continue to allow permits so construction can take place...there is no where for the rain to run off to since all is concrete. there's no more soil for drainage, but their pockets are green filled allowing those permits, and our lives are constantly in turmoil. My prayers are with all you.

                                  • 1 vote
                                  Reply#20 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:14 PM EDT

                                  Wayne Wilkins short of you having been there, you are not in a position to judge. I also can imagine how you would feel had you been caught up in this mess and had lost your home and everything in it. In a word, don't be a douche bag and accept the fact that there are actually people out there that care about all the folks that lost their homes and businesses to this fire. I suggest that you pick up a bible and read the The Book of Mark as it might teach you something about the importance of caring for your brother man.

                                  Also I want you to think about all the families that will have to spend the most important holiday of our nation in a Red Cross center because they lost everything they had to the fire. Think about that when you are enjoying that glass of wine and the steak you are having for dinner in the comfort of your home while they have to stand in line and eat whatever hits the tray. Shame on you for being so small minded and a disgrace to all that is good. People like you make me sick because they lack the basic compassion that good gave a billy goat. Self centered guys like you are not what we will be celebrating tomorrow, it will be all the hard working middle and working class folks that make the machine move forward because they are willing to do their part and are willing to help others. They are what makes this nation a great place not guys like you that only care about themselves. I guess in the end when it comes time to deal with guys like you I always remember what my Mother always used to say; "what goes around comes around."

                                  • 3 votes
                                  Reply#21 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:30 PM EDT

                                  I just want to add, as a citizen of Colorado Springs, not all of us are Republicans. Some of us fought hard to get that piece of legislation to pass. We lost, yes, and I do hope that those that did not want to pay a little bit more will think about that after this fire is over and when they have had time to think about how wrong they were in their vote. We need our firemen and women!! My city will make it through this! To have the opinion that we deserved this because of that vote and we should've had our city burn down is horrible. Thank you for your complete ignorance of how our democracy works. You win some and you lose some as far as legislation goes, but you should never just throw away your fellow man like that...that is just wrong...

                                  • 6 votes
                                  Reply#22 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 6:55 PM EDT

                                  Same here Jane. I am a citizen of Colorado Springs, as well as a native and I was on the same side as you were in that vote as well as many other votes i'm sure. Just because an election goes one way instead of another shouldnt mean that help should be withheld. Its a pretty heartless stance to take. I am with you though that this event might help people realize the value of services that we take for granted.

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #22.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:12 PM EDT

                                  I do hope that those that did not want to pay a little bit more will think about that after this fire is over and when they have had time to think about how wrong they were in their vote. We need our firemen and women!!

                                  You do realize don't you that the Fire Department's budget has been going up and that they have been increasing the number of firefighter positions. Also there are 20 firestations all of them still open and aren't they going to break ground on nnumber 21 shortly?

                                    #22.2 - Thu Jul 5, 2012 1:42 PM EDT
                                    Reply

                                    a bad part is, i imagine, many will rebuild in the same fire-prone areas. but some places just aren't meant to be developed for people's homes.

                                    • 1 vote
                                    Reply#23 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:03 PM EDT

                                    Not practical. That would mean whole cities like Boulder, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction and Castle Rock would rank as not meant to be developed. As well as whole counties like Teller County, Boulder County and nearly every Ski Town. I agree that we need to be smarter about some areas, but the neighborhood that burned was within city limits and as far as our neighborhoods go, wasnt thickly forested. The only fault that could be assessed here is the person who started the fire.

                                    • 1 vote
                                    #23.1 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:25 PM EDT
                                      #23.2 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:26 PM EDT

                                      Thank you DonL72.....some people do not understand the lay of our land.....

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #23.3 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:30 PM EDT

                                      Dee,

                                      Your absolutly right! I've been saying that and catching a lot of Hell! Same goes for bottom lands by the rivers where people live and every few years the whine and cry they lost everything! When they could move a half mile away and never flood...Yet they stay in the same spot! These people should have never built in the woods and where they knew this could happen...But they want a VIEW! Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.

                                        #23.4 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 10:34 PM EDT

                                        Wayne, the subdivision that was destroyed was not, I repeat, not in the forest!!! It was in the town of Colorado Springs, within city limits!! Will you please take the time to look at the pictures of the devastation ! You will see that the area that was destroyed was no different that living where I live which is 10 miles away. The fire exploded over the hills and came into the city, do you not understand? I don't want to be judgmental of you , they way you are being to us, but please, you are really being ignorant and heartless..... I really wonder where are you from that you don't ever have anything bad happen by ways of the weather? (yet) And should it happen to you one day.....may God be with you and hopefully people will be there to help you and not pass judgement, just help.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        #23.5 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 11:23 PM EDT

                                        Wayne, Wayne, Wayne. Please, just stop with your drivel.

                                        • 1 vote
                                        #23.6 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 7:55 AM EDT

                                        No I won't, you mental midgets! You've done messed MY country up and then want to whine and cry like babies..............Mr Farmall48!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          #23.7 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 5:37 PM EDT

                                          Dee,

                                          Your a 100% right!

                                            #23.8 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 5:39 PM EDT

                                            Miss a dose dose of meds, did you, Wayne? Oh, and that MISS Farmall to you buddy.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #23.9 - Thu Jul 5, 2012 6:29 AM EDT
                                            Reply

                                            dee-1234, then where should we build....in a place without drought, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, landslides...you tell me there is a place on this earth that doesn't have a risk of having a natural disaster and I will consider moving there.

                                            • 2 votes
                                            Reply#24 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:27 PM EDT

                                            Skierjane,

                                            Your talking silly! MOVE! These fires aren't NATURAL disasters their MAN MADE! There are areas where you can MOVE that you don't have to worry about some of the crap your talking about! Then if you want a VIEW of the Rockies, you can drive to it and enjoy it more than looking at it everyday! Cause after a few months of living there, you pay NO attention to the view! I, know this for a fact! Then you pay MORE for a house with a VIEW! So again, Stupid! Take pictures and STOP taring up the land! Your living on stolen land anyway! Stolen from the Native Americans, that took care of the land!!!!!!!! If your houses weren't there there would be NO story here.

                                            Go buy a house in the bottom lands and then you can whine and cry about food waters and your loses!

                                              #24.1 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 7:04 AM EDT

                                              Wayne,

                                              You are like a housefly that will not go away no matter how many times you swat it!

                                              You truly are looking at life with blinders. As a few have said in their posts, 'there but for the grace of God go I'. Stop trying to be the bully on the block. We are talking about human lives and the people who risk their own lives to save other humans. I'm trying hard not to judge you, but you are really ignorant, lacking compassion, and as a registered nurse, should you come to my hospital looking for treatment, part of me says, "I'm going to lunch, if you still need help, catch me when I'm finished."

                                              It's not just a matter of rebuilding half a mile or a mile or 100 miles away. Mother Nature does it's thing. ( I don't want to hear about who started the fire, yes they need to be caught and face the justice system, but the fire is consuming land and affecting people, so let's move on) These brave firefighters come there into 105 degree heat with extremely high winds, 40 or more pounds of heavy clothes and tools on their backs, and if they could hear your comments and your home was close to the fire, they would still try to save it for you!

                                              Making some money towards helping the expenses for all of the men and women such as food, water shelter and some common sense have raised a good amount to help defray these costs. If it's a t-shirt, and you can afford to buy one, then I say, go for it. If you can't afford one, that is ok, just pray for the safety of everybody and I mean everybody being affected. Oh, and let's please keep politics out of this story!! A few guys got together and wanted to make a difference, so they created these t-shirts. Doing something is much better than someone like you sitting and typing your negative agenda all day. This is my only post cause I DO care and I wanted to let you know we have good people in our country. Keep it going T-shirt men and women!!

                                              BTW, yes I would take care of you if you were in the hospital, it's my job and just because you sound retarded, I do have just enough compassion to help you to continue your nasty life.

                                              Bravo T-shirt makers, and bravo to our firefighters. People helping people, a basic concept in this world. Go and ponder this my friend.

                                              • 1 vote
                                              #24.2 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 4:04 PM EDT

                                              Rather be a house fly than a mental midget! I, have no blinders on and my eyes are wide open! Now your the one with blinders.

                                              All this country is about is GREED! Money, Money, Money,,,,,,,So your a part of the problem, not the solution... The solution is that no one lives in bottom lands and forest to eliminate any of these problems! You just keep messing up the Native Americans land, over greed! And I bet you'd be the first to scream about wildlife in your yard!

                                              Go away? No I'm not! I'm sick of you mental midget's messing up MY country! Then whine and cry like a bunch of babies and expect to get a free handout and playing on others feelings because of your GREED!

                                                #24.3 - Wed Jul 4, 2012 5:35 PM EDT
                                                Reply

                                                Colorado Fire Risk link didnt work.

                                                  Reply#25 - Tue Jul 3, 2012 7:29 PM EDT
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