Peter Schlitt oversees numerous uniforms, t-shirt and embroidery requests brought to his Prince George store but this time, he's on the other side.
Schlitt is the owner of Up The Creek Garment Co. Ltd. and wanted to come up with a way to show those on the local frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic that they're supported.
Then came along the "Prince George Strong" t-shirts with the hashtag #WeCanBeatThis.
"The idea for the t-shirts came out of a desire to encourage and show our appreciation for the frontline workers and anyone else they might touch," he told PrinceGeorgeMatters.
"Our company produces clothing and promotional items for businesses, sports teams, community groups, etc., so it was just a way to contribute in our own small way. The hashtag 'Prince George Strong' just seemed to be a very effective little message of encouragement and hope."
Up The Creek has been serving northern B.C. since 1993 and being there for the community isn't new for Schlitt.
"We are hopeful that the t-shirts somehow show appreciation and encourage our community during this challenging time," he added.
The shirts were first sent to front-line organizations here in Prince George, but then he elected to send them further.
The company decided to send packages to roughly 18 communities in northern B.C.
They went out west to Prince Rupert, north to Fort St. John, south to 100 Mile House and east to Valemount.
Schlitt says right now, the shirts are being given away to those on the frontlines, but if they received enough requests for every-day residents to buy the shirts, they would consider the option.
