Curious about the colourful Vancouver shirts making the rounds lately? Vancouver, we love you [the t-shirt project] is the local team behind the charity project.
Created by local entrepreneur Sarah Shandl, Vancouver, we love you [the t-shirt project] is an idea to show off one of the most popular cities in the world with a unique twist. What started as a simple love of comfy shirts and a great city has become a growing movement, on both a local and international front.
Besides being a t-shirt company, Vancouver, we love you is an online community for fans of Vancouver to show off their favorite spots. Customers purchase a Vancouver, we love you t-shirt, take a picture wearing it in their favorite Vancouver location, and post the photo, along with a description of why they love that spot, on the company’s website.
The Red Paddle Co is currently offering free Vancouver, we love you SUP paddle boarding sessions all summer long. Each session will be announced 48 hours in advance on both Facebook and Twitter, keeping the social media momentum going.
The group seems to have taken to paddle boarding (I tried it last year at Jericho Beach, and it’s harder than it looks!).
Vancouver’s popularity as a tourist destination has also brought international attention to the project, with a large percentage of support coming from overseas.
“It was a really obvious idea to me,” says Shandl. “The project is great to let visitors show their love for our city, as well as locals to show off their favorite secret locations that may not be the obvious spots everyone thinks of right away. Everyone has a special reason for loving this city, we want to know why.”
The project is also a means to support Covenant House Vancouver. 10% from each t-shirt purchase goes to the local organization, one that provides food, shelter, clothing, and counseling to the estimated 500 to 1,000 street youth in Vancouver.
“The project is definitely more than just another t-shirt,” says Shandl. “It’s a declaration of our love for our city and for the belief that we can make it better for everyone that calls these streets home.”
Visit the Vancouver we love you site to learn more about the project, upcoming events, or to order shirts. Visit Covenant House Vancouver online for more information on their organization.
