QC apparel store has new shirts to support autism awareness

The Royal Guide’s Autism Resource Fair is April 6 at the Bend XPO Center in East Moline, and a Quad-City T-shirt business will be there with its “Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines” campaign.

QC Custom Tees started an online store that offers shirts for autism awareness. Proceeds from the shirts will benefit organizations that raise awareness for autism and support people with it, including the Royal Ball Run 5k and Walk for Autism. QC Custom Tees will have three new and different autism-related shirt designs at the Royal Guides’ Autism Resource Fair, and those ordering shirts online can pick them up at the fair. People who also want the new shirts on Saturday can screen print the design of the shirt themselves from 9:00 a.m. – noon.

“Autism is just something that is kind of near and dear to my heart because a lot of these kids don’t get a normal day,” QC Custom Tees owner Michael Slyter said. “I want to give back to the community, especially for those who can’t do it themselves or who don’t have normal days. If we can be the reason they have a normal day, that is a plus in my book.”

The shirts are free to the public, but the business is asking for donations to further support nonprofits and organizations that support autism. Money will also be donated to Royal Ball Run coming up in June. The owner of QC Custom Tee’s says it’s important to embrace who you are and that inspired them to start this campaign.

QC Custom Tee’s lead designer says he has a son with autism, and this campaign was a beautiful full-circle moment for him. “My wife and I are stronger for it. The idea behind all of these designs is to bring them to life. We wanted to give off acceptance and that is the goal here. I am glad to be apart of a company that cares. It hits my heart hard.

For more information about The Royal Ball Run and their mission, click here. For more information on QC Custom Tees, click here or here for Facebook.

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