Last year, California saw a wildfire season like they have never seen before. This is a telling statement considering that the state is no stranger to annual wildfires.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center there were fewer wildfires reported in California in 2018 (58,083) than in 2017 (71,499). However, the ruin caused by Northern California’s Camp Fire — about 8.8 million acres burned — made headlines as it was responsible for 85 deaths and $16.5 billion in damage. There are communities rebuilding, and the signs of the devastation still linger. Thankfully, there are people out there who look beyond their state lines and are willing to be A Canvas for Good.

Dave Cowley, owner of Dave Cowley Incentives, a promotional products and apparel company in Minneapolis, saw a window of opportunity to do the right thing.

“They lost everything,” said Dave Cowley. “I asked myself, ‘What can I do right now to make a difference?’ knowing they had no clothes and it gets very cold at night,” he said. Cowley had a personal connection to the fires as well. His daughter, Betsy, purchased the town of Pulga, California. Pulga is a 64-acre former gold mining town not far from the city of Paradise where the Camp Fire started. She wanted to start an artists’ enclave back in 2016, but instead she lost her home in the inferno.

Working with his representative at SanMar, Cowley arranged to donate several cases of hooded sweatshirts, crewneck t-shirts and stocking caps to fire victims who needed them.

“SanMar gave me special pricing, plus donated additional clothing as well,” Cowley said. He sent the clothes to his daughter, who saw to it that the items got directly into the hands of those in her community.

A year later, people are still in need of assistance. When Cowley recently went to visit his daughter, who is still without power herself, he said he was shocked by the destruction.

“A lot hasn’t changed. These people are still without homes and many are living in their cars on their property where their house once was,” he said. There is hope that construction can get started as soon as the cleanup is complete.

“Many of Betsy’s friends and neighbors lost everything they owned in the fire,” he said. “She was able to get clothing into the hands of the needy immediately, and they really appreciated the donation.” he went on to say. For Cowley, helping victims of the fire is very personal — not only because his daughter was affected, but because it’s the right thing to do.

We want to hear more about how you’ve seen t-shirts used for good as a business owner, as a customer and as a human being. We invite you to share your stories at canvasforgood.com, or join the conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram.