From Surplus to Purpose: Repurposing Shoreline Cleanup Shirts

Whenever possible, H2Ozarks strives to maximize our impact and minimize waste. When we discovered we had extra t-shirts left over from previous shoreline cleanup events, we were determined to find a better solution than letting them sit in storage. We connected with Joelene Powell, Founder and President of Arising-n-Hope Clothing Outreach, a local nonprofit serving individuals and families across Barry, Taney, and Stone Counties. With one short conversation, and incredible partnership was formed.

“We’re ‘Arising-n-Hope’ because that’s what we want to do — give people hope.” Joelene said. “It’s clothing, but it’s also helping people understand they have value and worth no matter their station in life.”

Joelene took our excess shirts and has given out them to community members across the region, to the Stone County Jail Ministry, and most recently, on a mission trip to the Philippines with RCK Global, where they reached some of the country’s most underserved people.

“The excitement people have is unbelievable. To you, it might just be a t-shirt, but to them, someone saw them and met them where they are.”

“We stayed in Goa, and there were these guys every single day driving tricycles and motorcycles, kind of like a taxi service. We gave them t-shirts, and every morning after that they would wave at us and show us they were wearing them. They were just so happy.”

Joelene said they also partnered with local churches to distribute the shirts among 24 churches in the communities. The impact, she says, goes far beyond clothing.

“The excitement people have when they receive something is just unbelievable. To you, it might just be a T-shirt, but to them, it means someone saw them and met them where they are. That’s the heart behind it — showing people there is hope and worth in them.”

Thanks to this partnership, we have reduced waste and brought new life to unused materials, which has benefited both our people and our planet! What could have been an unfortunate waste instead became an opportunity to build new partnerships and find creative solutions. Our thanks to Arising-n-Hope for their partnership.