Teen, Artist Collaborate For T-Shirt Fundraiser

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Severna Park high school senior Braden Jacobs is partnering with artist Liz Lind and Carrol’s Creek Cafe to sell T-shirts to raise money for outdoor classrooms at Eastport Elementary School.

“I always pass the school on my way to my dad’s restaurant [Carrol’s Creek] and saw that they were raising funds for outdoor classrooms,” Jacobs said. “And I figured there was nothing really else to do, so I decided to help.”

According to the Maryland State Department of Education, Eastport Elementary is considered a Title 1, Part A school. The Maryland State Department of Education website states that a Title 1, Part A school is a “federal program that provides financial assistance to local school systems and schools with a high percentage of poor children to support the academic achievement of disadvantaged students.”

“I know that [Eastport Elementary] is a Title 1 school, so they don’t get as much funding as my school,” Jacobs said, “which is another reason why I wanted to help.”

Once Jacobs talked to his parents about his desire to help, they coordinated an effort to sell T-shirts at Carrol’s Creek and to use the designs of one of their family friends, Lind.

“...Art used on the T-shirt was painted by me for Carrol’s Creek many years ago when they were renovating and wanted a new look for their menus,” Lind said.

Lind explained that none of her designs ended up on the menu, however, she “gave several images I had done for the menu design to Braden to have and use." The art on the back of the T-shirt features the Chesapeake Bay and Annapolis.

The outdoor classrooms are expected to have a bulletin board, a standing lab, an animal habitat and a weather station, which Jacobs wants to help design.

“With COVID it is especially important for the kids to have a place to learn,” Jacobs said. He also mentioned that it is a great way to get involved with a STEM-related project. Jacobs is studying engineering at Severna Park High School.

Eastport Elementary has a goal of $320,000 and has raised about $300,000 so far. “I am hoping that the T-shirt sale will help with reaching their goal,” Jacobs said.

The T-shirts are available for pre-order on the Carrol’s Creek website, and they come in standard white and with Lind’s design on the back for $20. All proceeds will go toward Eastport Elementary School.

Starting October 13, the T-shirts will be available for pickup at Carrol’s Creek Cafe. Or customers can choose to pick them up at the Whitehurst Clubhouse in Severna Park, located at 360 White Cedar Lane, on October 17 from 10:00am-11:00am.

After October 13, customers can purchase their T-shirts at the restaurant. So far, Jacobs has sold 45 T-shirts.

For now, there is no cutoff date to order T-shirts. For more information, email tshirt@carrolscreek.com.

“I’m happy and humble to be a part of his effort,” Lind said.

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