SARATOGA SPRINGS — Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Horse Mercantile are selling t-shirts designed to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
Impressions of Saratoga (386 Broadway) and The Dark Horse Mercantile (445 Broadway) have created two designs that are available for purchase with proceeds donated to The International Red Cross – Ukraine Relief Efforts (www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine).
Co-owners Marianne Baker and Maddy Zanetti worked separately on a design, and decided to go ahead with both, quickly enlisting the aid of T-Shirts Graphics to pull the art together, ordering the blank garments with hopes to have shirts available this week.
Prices are still being determined for the garments, factoring in the cost of the garment, freight, and decorating costs. The goal is to raise as much as possible to help with the humanitarian aid needed to aid the courageous citizens of Ukraine. The money will be donated weekly, so it gets where it needs to go as quickly as possible with customers’ support.
The first design features the Ukrainian flag as a background with a Sunflower in the center with the words “Glory to Ukraine” – a motto often used during times of struggle since the mid-1800s. Bracketing these words are stylized tridents that represent the Ukrainian crest. This design is available in a natural-colored tee with more styles to be added soon.
The Sunflower is the Ukraine’s official flower, and they are the world’s largest producer (70-80%) of Sunflower oil; it’s been grown in the Ukraine since the 1800s. The flower symbolizes peace and is being used internationally as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.
The second design also features the Ukrainian flag colors with a small logo over the heart with a dove of peace and the words “Glory to Ukraine – Stand for Freedom.” On the back of the tee printed in the same colors are the words “In dark times you can be a light for others,” featuring a swish of blue and yellow with The Dark Horse Mercantile silhouette superimposed over it. This design will be available on a light grey heather tee and crewneck sweater.
The Dark Horse Brand celebrates those who are considered underdogs or improbable heroes – much like the Ukrainian people.
Each garment will be packaged with a story card detailing the beneficiary of the proceeds and will include a packet of Sunflower seeds to grow a Victory Garden. Growing Sunflowers to show support could help with the expected shortage of sunflower products as Ukraine’s supply chain is disrupted by this crisis. The seeds have been sourced from the Page Seeds Company in Greenville, NY.
The Sunflower garments will be available at Impressions of Saratoga and The Dark Times garments will be available at The Dark Horse Mercantile. Both stores will be accepting pre-orders online (www.impressionssaratoga.com) to be picked up on arrival or shipped. Shirts should be available in stores starting this week.
