Jetty uses storm relief T-shirt sales to donate supplies

Jetty, a locally owned surf and skate apparel company, has made philanthropy a major part of its business since it opened in 2003. Each year, the organization takes part in a number of charitable events through sponsorship, donations and volunteer work. The company has helped aid victims of Hurricane Katrina and often lends a hand to local organizations, including Alliance for a Living Ocean and the Stafford Township Historical Society. When Superstorm Sandy hit the company’s hometown hard, raising money for donations immediately became a priority.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
After only a week, Jetty has sold more
than 10,000 Hurricane Sandy relief T-shirts.

“(Cory and I) knew as soon as we were sitting there in Ocean Acres, watching football on Sunday together after being evacuated, that we were going to do something to help. We were going to design a T-shirt and get it out there quickly,” said Jeremy DeFilippis, co-owner of Jetty.

Three days after the storm, the relief T-shirt, dubbed “Unite and Rebuild,” was designed by Jetty’s creative director, John Clifford, and co-owners DeFilippis and Cory Higgins. It was displayed on the company’s website, ready for pre-order. A week later, more than 10,000 of the shirts had been purchased.

Although the crew had not planned on starting the printing process until Nov. 16, they decided to begin the procedure nearly two weeks ahead of schedule, after considering the shirt’s overwhelming demand.

The company hopes to donate 75 percent of the revenue it receives from the sale of the shirts. So far, more than $11,000 in donations has been given to many of the area’s local organizations, including Southern and Pinelands regional high schools; Barnegat Light, Surf City and Stafford Township fire companies; Little Egg Harbor Food Bank; New Jersey National Guard; and King of Kings Community Church. Many uprooted individuals are receiving donations as well.

“We really wanted to give the money directly to people who needed it; we wanted to give to the people that were displaced and to the emergency first responders,” DeFilippis stated. “We didn’t want to beat around the bush and give to those big organizations where your $100 donation becomes $30 after they pay all their administrative costs and everything.

“We’re so keen on getting people what they need, and not just throwing them a bag of clothes and saying, ‘Here you go.’ We literally get a list and go and buy people exactly what they need,” he added.

Given the T-shirt’s response, DeFilippis said Jetty has definite plans for donating to many of the shore areas that have been rocked by the storm, all the way from Delaware to Long Island, N.Y. The company has already made contributions to the Brigantine Community Center near Atlantic City.

Jetty’s staff workers and volunteers have been working “around the clock” printing, packaging and shipping the T-shirts by hand at the company’s warehouse, located in Little Egg Harbor. David Caldarella, founder of David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation, has been helping out at Jetty’s warehouse throughout the process. He said the “positive vibe” inside the factory has made the onset of devastation a little easier to endure, a feeling even the company’s youngest volunteers seemed to share.

Photo by Ryan Morrill
So far, more than $11,000 in donations
has been given to local organizations.

“It makes me feel good knowing that I can help other people,” claimed Brittany Smith, 14, of Tuckerton, who said she was heading to the Sea Oaks Golf Club later to also volunteer at a spaghetti dinner.

“While some other kids are out doing drugs, drinking and smoking, we’re helping people that are in need,” added Smith’s cousin, Julia Zazenski, 13, from Tuckerton, while folding a Jetty relief T-shirt.

“We know we have a tight community around here. And everyone loves Long Beach Island. But it’s really awesome to see everyone doing their part,” said DeFilippis. “People are just really pitching in, and I think that’ll contribute to rebuilding the community twice as fast,” he added.

Jetty’s relief tees are made with eco-based, water-friendly ink, and come in a range of sizes. Orders costs $20 per shirt, plus $5 for shipping. To make a purchase, go to jettylife.com. For an up-to-date list regarding Jetty’s donations, visit http://jettylife.com/community/charity/sandy-relief-2/.

This article was published in The SandPaper.