onehundredthousand.org | Passion For Missions
n an attempt to “turn Africa blue,” Ben Steiner has taken something he has a passion for and is using it to help others. Since he began printing shirts in 2003, Ben has been struggling with a way to give back and find some meaning, so Steiner created campaign tees. The basic idea behind campaign tees is to 1) Find a charitable organization, 2) Create a t-shirt for people to buy, and 3) Donate the proceeds to help those in need. Each campaign will produce a maximum of 100,000 t-shirts. In this first campaign, Campaign H2010, a minimum of $5 will be donated to the Blood Water Mission. Through this effort, Steiner hopes to provide enough clean drinking water to make Africa the sixth ocean.
Here is the catch, Steiner has set up his company as for profit. While the proceeds from the Campaign H2010 shirt go to the BWM, he will keep the proceeds from the other shirts and various products in hopes to create a powerful brand and use his income and platform from this brand for the good of others. Steiner wants to use this Capitalist system to the favor of those that do not have.
When, why, and how did you come up with the idea of creating campaign t-shirts?
Ben Steiner: In August of 2009 I was talking to a friend from Seattle named Jessie Gracic and all of the sudden the entire idea for One Hundred Thousand came to me, all at once. I didn’t spend very much time at all thinking about the concept or the idea behind 100k. It just sort of happened. I firmly believe God inspires and I believe he spoke that day.
Why did you choose to do your work with t-shirts?
BS: I chose to work with t-shirts because it was a medium I am comfortable with. Some people work with photos, others with oil and canvas, some with pianos or guitars. I work with shirts. I print shirts for a living from my print shop in Boise, Idaho so t-shirts were an easy, natural choice for me.
Is there any sort of business model that you are basing your production off of? You are actually a for profit business, correct? Tell us how you hope to see this business play-out.
BS: I was inspired along time ago by Toms Shoes. They are a for profit business that uses their selling power to meet a need, that being children without shoes. I am not afraid to make a profit, but I really want to remember those who cannot. If those of us who can make a profit, make one. We can in turn share that with those who have nothing, that’s the true beauty of business.
What did it take to be able to put a project like this one into action?
BS: Basically you need three things. An idea, motivation, and a lot of patience. Most people focus on the financial part of a project or business, I think that’s wrong. Money is a means to an end, it’s not an end. Focus on what you can’t buy and that which you can buy will follow! It helped that I already owned all the printing equipment but acquiring all of that took a lot of money and time. It didn’t happen over night but over the course of many years. A well directed passion can do far more than a large bank account.
Why did you choose Blood Water Mission for your first campaign? Any ideas on who will be featured in the next campaign?
BS: Blood Water Mission was chosen for two reasons, they believe in Jesus and they give water. Aside from oxygen water is the one thing we need the most. It breaks my heart to think that each morning when I wake up I can shower for as long as I want with drinking water, while millions of people around the globe have none. For $1 Blood Water Mission can provide an African with clean drinking water for an entire year. Because of this cost to help ratio I could offer a t-shirt for $12 that will provide five years of clean drinking water for one person. It’s very possible that Blood Water Mission could end thirst on the continent of Africa!
What are a few ways in which we as readers could become involved?
BS: I love this question because it has two answers! First and foremost please pray for me and 100k. Without that nothing will succeed. Prayer is so powerful!! If you’d like to support and help 100k the best way to do that is to purchase a t-shirt, more specifically the 2010 campaign shirt. This purchase alone will make an impact in the life of an African for the next five years! Telling your family and friends will also help.
If you’d like to help the world start your own 100k like project. Whatever your skills or passions are, use them. Make a profit, but don’t forget those who can’t! If we all work together and we share the fruits of our labor, we can bring abundance to a world that lacks!
What is Blood Water Mission (BWM)? BWM is an organization created to fight AIDS and provide clean drinking water for the people of Africa. What began as a way to personalize the AIDS crisis in Africa has, overtime, developed into a company that works alongside the people of Africa to provide treatment for those suffering with AIDS and create clean water alternatives for local villages. These alternatives include well installation, water purification method and building clinics for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, but the mission does not stop there. Wherever BWM works to supply clean drinking water, they also supply educational materials about sanitation and hygiene. Through this effort, the hope is to generate knowledge, change behavior and develop growth within these communities. BWM is working to make a difference in the lives of individuals and people groups as a whole.
What can you do to help? There are many ways in which to become involved. Head over to either www.onehundredthousand.org or www.bloodwatermission.com. On the 100k website click the link for the H2010 campaign to find out more, or click on “The Sixth Ocean” t-shirt and buy one. It may just be the best $12 you have spent in awhile. For the BWM website, search around, learn a little about their mission and follow the DONATE or TAKE ACTION buttons. $1 can provide a person with a year’s worth of clean drinking water. Most importantly, become involved in some way. Together we can bridge the gap between those who have, and those who have-not.
