Blackout T-shirt sale raises funds for Stillwater groups

Friday, December 4, 2009

(Stillwater, OK  December 4, 2009) -- Stillwater United Way and the Angel Fire Equestrian Center have received checks for $1,200 each from the sale of Blackout T-shirts at Oklahoma State University.

“The purpose of selling Blackout T-shirts was to raise money for these two extraordinary groups,” said Kyle Buthod, international business sophomore from Lees Summit, Mo. “We chose United Way to help Oklahoma State reach its donation goal, and Angel Fire Equestrian Center because we wanted to raise awareness for this deserving organization.”

A total of 713 shirts were sold, Buthod said.

“We wanted to ‘blackout’ Boone Pickens Stadium in the game against Texas,” he said. “Since the University of Texas is orange, we wanted our students and other fans to wear black.”

The project originated with the Spears School of Business Ambassadors, and the word spread around the Stillwater campus. The students put up A-frames for publicity and a table was set up at Homecoming Walkaround. They also received monetary support from the Business Student Council and support from the Residence Halls Association.

“It was a huge success, as the shirts were very popular among the student body, said Ashley Leonard, accounting sophomore from Artesia, N.M. “We appreciate everyone’s support with our efforts.”