Some St. Thomas students believe in a cause so much that they are willing to sacrifice their wardrobe for an entire month. 

Extending Christ’s Hope to Others, or ECHO, is a campaign sophomore Zach Brintz is organizing to educate college students about a variety of causes. In his vision for the program, campuses across the nation would pick a cause to support under the overarching organization.

“Different people feel differently about different social issues, so everyone could unite under ECHO,” Brintz said. “Then they could choose their own organization and support it using the same format we do.”

The St. Thomas group is encouraging students to purchase a T-shirt and wear it every day throughout April. The group hopes to raise funds and awareness about the presence of modern-day slavery, including labor-based and prostitution-based, but the main focus will be on women trafficked for sex in Third World countries.

Junior Katie Anderson decided to sign up for the event after hearing about it through Campus Crusade for Christ. Anderson also participated last year and said that wearing the same shirt for a month is not as gross as one might think.

“Last year, I think I washed (my shirt) at least once a week in the washer, and I washed it in the sink a few times during the week,” Anderson said. “It’s really a simple thing to give up, and it’s worth it.

“Wearing the same T-shirt for a month will hopefully draw a lot of attention to a great cause. I’m ready to raise money.”

Anderson also anticipates students noticing the shirts around campus and said that she is eager to explain the cause to her peers.

“If people see us around campus I hope that they ask us about it, and I want to tell them about it,” she said.

Brintz plans on raising money through the T-shirt sales by asking local businesses to sponsor the cause. So far, he has sponsorships from The Blue Door Pub, Davanni’s, Papa Murphy’s, Green Mill and Sports Clips.

The subject was brought to Brintz’s attention during a conference held in January at the Atlanta Georgia Dome called Passion 2012. The conference gathers college students from across the nation.

Brintz said he developed the idea for ECHO with a friend on the way home from the conference.

“Me and my friend had this idea… where it would be this movement where it wouldn’t be just St. Thomas, but at different campuses at one point,” Brintz said.

Last year, 15 students participated in the movement, but this year a Facebook campaign has captured the attention of more than 50 people.

Junior Alyssa Dunrud was part of last year’s small group, and she is excited to see more students participating. She said that the Facebook page has been instrumental in notifying students about ECHO’s mission.

Dunrud also said she did not know the extent of modern slavery before Brintz introduced the subject.

“I never had followed that at all,” Dunrud said. “(Brintz) came back from a conference in January and told us the statistics he learned while he was there, and I was really blown away by what he had to say.”

Freshman Derek Miller is not participating in the program but said he saw no problems with wearing the same shirt every day, especially if it stood for a cause.

“Its a cool tactic but like always it all depends on how many people do it for it to have any kind of effect, especially since St. Thomas is so large,” Miller said.

Brintz said the funds will support Do Something Now, a group that rescues those who are enslaved and provides resources and housing for former slaves. Do Something Now reported that there are more than 27 million people enslaved today – more than any other time in history. Each T-shirt will cost $10, but those who donate $20 or more to the group will be entered in a raffle for prizes from the local businesses.

As for wearing the same shirt throughout the month, Brintz said he agrees that it is not as bad as it sounds.

“The students are allowed to wash the shirts as often as they please, and we understand if you’re required to wear a uniform for work,” he said. “For the girls, it might be a little difficult, but it’s for a great cause.”

Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.