T-shirt retailer creates designs for Chile concert

T-shirt retailer creates designs for Chile benefit concert

T-shirt retailer Mr Vintage is teaming up with Auckland Latin American Community (ALAC Inc.) to raise funds to assist with the aftermath of the earthquake in Chile by releasing a range of limited edition t-shirts and sweatshirts.

The massive 8.8 magnitude quake struck on February 27th this year, just off the coast of Chile, causing widespread devastation and killing over 450 people.

Auckland based group ALAC Inc., who supports and assists the 14,000 strong Chilean community of Auckland, has been helping with the relief effort from the moment the quake struck, raising just shy of $5,000 for the Red Cross to date.

ALAC approached Mr Vintage to work with their benefit concert called “Arriba Chile”. Arriba Chile is an event that features traditional Latin American music genres, dancing and food. Some of the artists that will be performing include Calle Latina, Viva Samba, the Siguaraya Makehue Dance Group and Geore FM DJ Bobby Brazuka.

Auckland student Julia Espinoza, whose family originates from Chile, is part of the 70-member team that is organising the Arriba Chile concert this Saturday, the 24th of April in Onehunga. Julia, like many Auckland-based Chileans, has heard many stories from her homeland of loss and devastation.

“Some of our family friends lost their homes during the quake and had to sleep under bits of corrugated iron for days with no food and only the water from their pool before rescuers came to find them.”

Almost 2 months after the earthquake hit, Chile is still feeling the repercussions of the February 27th quake. The rebuilding of buildings and roads destroyed by the quake has continued to take place, despite vicious aftershocks that are still being felt as recently as two weeks ago.

“The whole Chile economy is still feeling the backlash. Many workers in Chile have lost their jobs, some roads and buildings are still yet to be rebuilt, and the building industry has encountered exposed corruption from faulty construction”

The Mr Vintage t-shirt design features the slogan “Chile no se rinde caramba”, which translates to “Chile will never surrender”. Mr Vintage Managing Director Robert Ewan believes that the design reflects the defiant attitude of the country.

“From the stories I have heard through Julia and the news, Chile is impressively strong in the way they have got back on their feet after the earthquake, and this design reflects the strength and courage of their nation.”

All proceeds from the benefit concert will be donated directly to Un Techo Para Chile, and organisation run predominantly by university students. The organisation was founded in 2001, and provides the necessities to smaller and poorer communities in Chile. Many of these communities still do not have the resources to rebuild and replace buildings, something that needs to be addressed before winter hits the country.

Arriba Chile will take place this Saturday the 24th of April from 7pm at the Pearce Hall, 3 Pearce St, Onehunga. Tickets are $10. There will be limited door sales on the evening on a first in/first served basis.

The Mr Vintage t-shirt and sweatshirts will be available for $29.95 and $69.95 respectively from Wednesday the 21st of April until stock runs out. 15% of the proceeds made from the sale of this apparel will be going directly to ALAC Inc.’s chosen non-profit organisation, Un Techo Para Chile. These can be purchased online at www.mrvintage.co.nz and in-store at 302b Great North Road, Grey Lynn.

ENDS

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