A Michiana-based T-shirt business focused on giving back is recognizing National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Terra Apparel — which consists of Anthony Udell, Niles; Andre Northern, South Bend; Tyson Thompson, South Bend; Bridget Dix, Mishawaka; and Aaron Payne, Niles — has created pink T-shirts to fundraise for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the largest breast cancer organization in the U.S.
Udell and his brother and now-former owner, Dominic Udell, founded Terra. Four of the five owners are area college students. They have custom-designed shirts for the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, Mancino’s and the St. Joseph Coast Guard, among others.
“We are really big into wanting to make the world a better place,” said Udell, a fifth-year senior at Indiana University South Bend.
The “Fight and Conquer” shirts are $15, with $5 of the proceeds benefit Komen.
“Breast cancer is sort of a trendy thing to do, but it is also relevant,” Udell said.
“It’s also about relationships and helping out,” said Payne, a student at Southwestern Michigan College.
The business donated $2,000 to charitable causes last year and aims to give $5,000 to $10,000 this year. The owners would eventually like to open a store that gives a percentage of its profits to charities.
“That’s pretty much the goal of the company — not just to make a profit, but a difference,” Udell said.
To purchase a “Fight and Conquer” shirt, visit www.teraapparel.com.
t www.terraapparrel.com.