We’ve seen custom t-shirts used across the spectrum, from guerilla marketing for a snack food to gym marketing to show work-out results. There’s no denying promotional t-shirts capture attention.

That’s why the Mother’s Milk Bank of North Texas (MMBNT), an organization that provides human milk to premature and critically ill infants, is using logo t-shirts as the centerpiece of its “Peace, Love, Share” campaign.

“Our goal is to initiate questions about sharing excess breast milk with needy babies,” says Simone Summerlin, donor program coordinator.

MMBNT gives custom shirts to all donors and also sells them for $5 a pop. Since the campaign kicked off last month, the shirts have brought in more than $1,000.

Summerlin is confident they’re spreading the word about MMBNT. “Just wearing my name badge has spurred questions. T-shirts are a whole lot more visible,” she says.

Plus, supporters have been specifically requesting promotional apparel. “We’ve had countless requests from moms, lactation centers and nurses for something they could wear to promote the milk bank,” says Summerlin.

MMBNT uses a variety of promotional products: pens, water bottles, and Life Savers with the message, “Donor milk: a life saver.” The organization even has a powder-pink, wrapped vehicle that transports donations to regional hospitals.

With t-shirts and other promotional items in play, Summerlin hopes that many conversations will be sparked about MMBNT and its life-saving mission.

“Our focus,” she says, “is all about love and sharing: Loving the babies who receive the donations, and sharing about the milk bank with other people.”

Promo know-how tip:

Custom t-shirts turn wearers into walking billboards for your message, so make the most of the opportunity by personalizing the front and back. 

Between five and seven million companion animals enter animal shelters every year, according to the ASPCA, and three to four million are euthanized. ePromos wanted to help, so we took action with what we do best: promotional products.

When the Tri-County Humane Society (TCHS) near our branch in St. Cloud, Minnesota, hosted its 11^th annual Wine, Kibbles and Bids event, we jumped at the chance to sponsor this fund-raising event.

It just made sense, according to Cydney Reuter, a sales manager for ePromos who also happens to be the 2012 board president for TCHS.

“ePromos wants to have a positive presence in the community, and since ePromos is a pet-friendly environment, it seemed like a perfect pairing,” she says. “I wanted to help TCHS gain brand awareness, and I thought that take-away wine glasses would be a great memento of a wonderful evening with wine-tasting as the focus.”

As guests were ushered into the beautiful Gorecki Center at the College of St. Benedict, they received custom wine glasses to use throughout the night for various wine tastings and also at the open bar.

“I had the privilege of handing out the glasses at the beginning of the evening,” Reuter says. “So many people were delighted to receive the glasses as a gift.”

ePromos’ marketing coordinator, Libby Defries, also attended the event, and noted that the custom wine glasses were well-received by attendees. “It seemed everyone in the room had one,” she says.

The custom wine glasses were useful as guests sampled various wines, mingled and explored different items in the silent auction. And because the custom wine glasses featured the logo for the Tri-County Humane Society, they made lovely reminders of the event that guests can use at their own dinners and gatherings.

“The staff at TCHS did such a lovely job with the event,” Reuter says, “and I have to think that the beautiful display of sparkling wine glasses as people walked into the event helped make it successful.”

Promo know-how tip: Promotional products are a great way to enhance your audience’s experience at charitable events. Just consider the activities at the event, and choose custom products accordingly. The promotional products should have a clear tie-in to the cause or the event. We can help you pinpoint the perfect way to spread your message with promotional products.

A big part of successful fundraising means extending your profit margins. You may be able to generate a ton of publicity, enlist an army of volunteers, and coordinate your events down to the last detail, but if you aren’t working with products that can deliver significant return on investment, the outcome won’t be very impressive.

The great thing about fundraising promos is that they deliver the high margins you’re looking for. Here are a few examples to show you the kind of returns we’re talking about:

1. Custom Awareness Wristbands. Ever since the LiveStrong bracelet turned awareness wristbands into a bonafide fashion accessory, companies have been racing to incorporate them into all of their fundraising and awareness promotions. Popularity and visibility are driving factors behind their widespread use, but high profit margins really seal the deal. Some awareness bracelets cost as little as $0.33 each, and are re-sold for as much as $2.00 – quick and easy money, plus more exposure for your cause.
2. Promotional Bottled Water. Bottled water is a great item to have on hand at fundraising and charity events. Starting at only $0.60 a bottle, we’ve all seen water sold for as much as $2.00 or $3.00 a pop. Plus, you’ll get even more for your money when you take advantage of a full-color custom label to raise awareness or get a message across to recipients. Make sure to provide recycling bins to keep your event eco-friendly.
3. Tagless Cotton T-Shirt by Hanes®. Now we’re talking real margins! These comfortable cotton shirts come from a respected brand, and may sell for as much as $10 or $15 in retail stores. Your cost, with customization? As little as $3.99 each! Custom apparel might cost a little more up front, but it’s easy to quickly recoup your investment and then some. You have a lot of room for creativity when you use personalized shirts, so again, you’ll get more for your money if you put some thought into your imprint message.

Most of us don’t have to worry about the quality of the tap water we get at restaurants. The wait staff fills our glasses, and we don’t give it a second thought – we drink it down without question.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people in the world that don’t have this peace of  mind. In fact, lack of clean water is the second largest killer of children under 5 worldwide.

This week, you’ll have the chance to make a difference for these people when you dine at restaurants participating in UNICEF’s Tap Project.

Restaurants participating in this project will offer customers the chance to donate $1 for the tap water they normally receive for free. All of the proceeds from this World Water Week promotion will go directly towards providing clean drinking water and sanitation where it is needed most.

Your business can participate in the Tap Project and help raise money for World Water Week with promotional drinkware like the AquaSkin foldable water bottle. These items can be customized and sold to raise money, or they can be imprinted with information about these projects to help raise awareness.

For more information and ideas about using promotional products during World Water Week, speak with an ePromos Promotions Specialist by calling 800-LOGO-216.