Autism awareness T-shirt sales on campus raise funds for Aces for Autism group
ECU Dowdy Student Stores and its vendor, Perfect Promotions & More of Apex, presented a check Tuesday, Aug. 13, to support Aces for Autism. The check for $2,292 was presented at the new student store location on campus. Representatives from Aces for Autism, Dowdy Student Stores, Perfect Promotions, ECU Pirate Athletics, and ECU administrators were on hand for the presentation.
The money was raised through sales of autism awareness T-shirts at ECU Dowdy Student Stores on campus and the Minges Fan Shop during Pirate basketball season. A portion of the sale of each shirt was donated by both Dowdy Student Stores and its vendor, Perfect Promotions and More of Apex. This is the second year that T-shirts were sold to benefit the autism support group.
ECU Dowdy Student Stores presented a $2,292 check to Aces for Autism on Aug. 13. The money was raised through sales of autism awareness T-shirts. Pictured from left are Bob Walker, associate director, ECU Dowdy Student Stores; Bill Koch, ECU associate vice chancellor for Campus Safety & Auxiliary Services; Sarah Thorndike, ECU vice chancellor of Administration and Finance; Bryan Tuten, director, ECU Dowdy Student Stores; Kyle Robinson, Aces for Autism board president; Stephen McFadden, president, Perfect Promotions; and John Palmer, merchandise manager, ECU Dowdy Student Stores. (Photos by Rhett Butler)
Aces for Autism board president Kyle Robinson is also director of men’s basketball operations at ECU. He accepted the check along with members of the association to support families and the local center which provides therapy, training for parents and caregivers, and free, professional workshops.
Aces for Autism is a nonprofit treatment and educational center dedicated to providing doctor prescribed, evidence-based therapies that significantly impact the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. One in 58 individuals in North Carolina is affected by autism.
Dowdy Student Stores Director Bryan Tuten is an enthusiastic leader of the store’s “cause” T-shirt program. “I’m so pleased to see the continued support of the Pirate Nation fan base,” said Tuten. “The Aces for Autism group provides support for many families, and knowing the money raised stays locally makes it even more special.”
The university-operated stores also sell fundraising T-shirts for ALS support, ECU military programs and pediatric cancer awareness, in addition to the store’s student scholarship contributions made annually.
Stephen McFadden, president of Perfect Promotions, signs the check for Aces for Autism as (from left) Kyle Robinson, Aces for Autism board president; Sarah Thorndike, ECU vice chancellor of Administration and Finance; Bryan Tuten, director, ECU Dowdy Student Stores; Bob Walker, associate director, ECU Dowdy Student Stores; and John Palmer, merchandise manager, ECU Dowdy Student Stores, look on.
Perfect Promotions Vice President of Sales Stephen McFadden is also proud to play a role in the effort. As a vendor of Dowdy Student Stores and a 2010 ECU alumnus, McFadden enjoys partnering with the store on projects like this that give back to the local community. Over the past five years, “cause” T-shirt sales have generated more than $75,000 for local charities with ties to ECU.
The next “cause shirt” will come out in late August and will benefit pediatric cancer awareness. According to Dowdy merchandise manager John Palmer, it will feature the #GoGold tag and will be perfect for Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September, and the Paint it Gold football game on Sept. 21.
East Carolina’s bookstore is a self-operated, university-run store. It receives no state funding. Instead, the campus bookstore maintains its services through sales. Dowdy Student Stores is the top retailer of licensed ECU Pirate clothing and logo merchandise, and profits are directed back to the university community through scholarship contributions and other donations to campus projects.
Contact: ECU Dowdy Student Stores, Director Bryan Tuten, 252-328-6731 or Marketing Director Leslie Craigle, 252-737-1310