Let's Support our Friends in Western NC

This email has changed many times in the last two weeks. Originally set to go out the Friday before last, it would have featured my favorite fall looks from our newest collection. I ended up canceling it as there was...a hurricane barreling through North Carolina. Even though everyone I knew in the Charlotte area was perfectly fine and safe, something just felt off, and it didn't feel like the time to be touting clothing. Over the next couple of days, things started to come out about the mountains, and well...it didn't really feel like it would ever be a good time to talk about custom suiting again.?

You see...the mountains are a special place for Filipe and me. Filipe grew up in Franklin, NC; we both went to Appalachian State University. My wife went to ASU, her brother and sister went to ASU, my sister went to ASU, my next-door neighbor and one of my best friends since I was three went to ASU, my dad went to ASU...you get the point. Those beautiful mountains have also influenced so much at OMJ... seasonal collections, collaborations, and, of course...our logo is a mason jar. The mountains are engrained in so much that IS OMJ and so many special people in our lives! Our hearts go out to all those impacted...and we pray for the whole region.

And so, while it didn't feel right to be selling you all the traditional OMJ clothing, I certainly don't mind selling you something special we have designed as a way to give back! Our exclusive WNC Hurricane Relief Sweatshirts! For anyone that has one of our popular CLT sweatshirts, you know it's incredibly soft...and we have used those same sweatshirts for this collection as well.?

All net proceeds of these shirts will go to The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund (managed by United Way of North Carolina). We officially launched these on Saturday and have already raised close to $3k for relief, so let's keep up the great momentum folks!

• Read: The amount of stories and articles coming out can be incredibly overwhelming to keep up with...a testament to how wide a path of destruction our great state experienced. The Charlotte Ledger is doing a great job and has created a separate newsletter on all things related to WNC (you can subscribe for free to Mountain Updates here)
• Also Read: This incredibly moving story is just one of so many tragic accounts about a mom turned superhero and how a family is coping with loss.?
• Watch: The great Dolly Parton is donating $1MM for relief and sings an alternate rendition of "Jolene".
• Also Watch: Despite which party line you are on, this is a great video about relief updates from Congressman Jeff Jackson. He spells things out nicely and with no agenda.?
• Event: Just announced is a benefit concert in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 26th. Headliners are Eric Church, Luke Combs and James Taylor...this is HUGE! Tickets go on sale this Thursday!
• Donate: Aside from buying a really comfortable sweatshirt supporting WNC, these are some other great options to donate directly to:
• United Way of North Carolina
• American Red Cross
• Samaritan's Purse (honestly, this is my favorite as it is located in Boone and run by Franklin Graham, son of legendary Billy Graham).

In closing, there are numerous heartfelt stories of neighbors helping neighbors and the community lifting each other up. Many who live in the mountains have lived there all their lives...these are tough and resilient people doing great things in adversity. As we get a few more weeks removed, I look forward to reading, watching, and listening to all those positive stories.?

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Best,

Bradley Rhyne, CEO