Members of the Bastian family of Birmingham Township are recognizing essential workers in Chester County and raising money for the Coronavirus Relief Fund with “I Am Essential” shirts and magnets, writes Bill Rettew for the Daily Local News.
Pat Bastian trademarked the phrase, his nephew Patrick created the design, and his brother Richard came up with the official page for the merchandise.
The family raised $5,000 in a week. Among their first buyers were Dole Fresh Fruit, some trucking companies, and several healthcare providers.
“Initially, we targeted those companies who are essential to keep us moving forward, and we have had good success,” Bastian said. “Companies want to thank and acknowledge their employees for risking their health by coming to work every day to ‘Keep America Going.’”
They have also now added a second shirt that reads “I Am Essential to Fight COVID-19.”
“Like ‘Boston Strong’ did after the marathon bombing, in many ways it has become a local rallying cry for people to band together,” he said.
Read more in the Daily Local News here.
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