Sales of 'NOFO Strong' Shirts Skyrocket To Help Front Line Heroes

NORTH FORK, NY — T-shirts printed with the words "NOFO Strong" have sparked a flood of response as North Fork residents, who love the words symbolizing the indomitable spirit of their hometown, step forward in droves to buy the shirts and help support front line health care workers.

It all started on Saturday morning, said Wendy Zuhoski of Wendy's Deli, when her friend Rose Tarpey stopped in with the "NOFO Strong" shirts for her and her staff.

"We loved them and posted a picture of us with them on Facebook," she said. "Everyone loved and commented on them."

Soon, the floodgates opened and scores of people were asking where they could buy the T-shirts, too.

That's when Zuhoski, who is known as a force for good on the North Fork, always organizing fundraisers to help those in need — and working tirelessly during the new coronavirus pandemic to deliver food to those on the front lines — decided to work her usual magic.

She contacted Laraine Henry, who lives in Southold and designs the shirts, selling them on her Personalized Gifts & Treasures page online. Zuhoski asked her if she could sell the T-shirts at Wendy's Deli for $20, donating $5 for each shirt to help front line health care workers.

"She loved the idea," Zuhoski said.

And then, to help even more people in the community, Zuhoski said funds raised will be used to purchase gift cards from local restaurant owners, that will then, in turn, be given to front line workers.

"I thought if we could include local restaurants in this it could really be a win win situation!" she said. "I have gotten to be great friends through all of this with so many restaurant owners and I would love to help them out, too."

The words on the shirts, Zuhoski said, inspire: "This is the true meaning of paying it forward. We are all in this together."

Another "amazing" local supporter, Cassie Nine, has begun taking all of the orders from Facebook and organizing them, Zuhoski said.

Henry said the idea for the fundraiser came from Zuhoski. "And it all started with my customer, who purchased them from me and gifted them to Wendy's Deli. Talk about paying it forward!"

Henry said she has been making personalized items for the past several months, which many purchase through her online page Personalized Gifts & Treasures.

The idea for the "NOFO Strong" design was born to help lift spirits during dark days.

"One night I was scrolling through Facebook, seeing all the posts with everyone's struggles and disappointments," she said. "And at the bottom of one post I saw the words 'Stay Strong'. That got me thinking of our community, how hard we were hit, and then it came to me. 'Southold Strong', what a motivating phrase it could be," she said.

From there, "NOFO" was an obvious transition to include the entire North Fork community, Henry added.

"We are all going through the same struggles. I am a stay-at-home mom that has always had a side hustle to help my family income," she said. "Working from home has enabled me to be available for my kids as much as I want. Making these 'NOFO Strong' shirts has become even more special because of the meaning it holds, the message it sends — and the lesson it teaches my children. They see firsthand how small acts of kindness can spread and reach an entire community."

Henry created the logo by combining an image of Long Island and the "powerful" words, she said. "I feel that every Long Islander relates to the map of Long Island."

Orders 'skyrocket'

Once the photo of the T-shirt swas shown on Facebook, the orders have come pouring in.

In the 24 hours from Saturday to Sunday, Henry said her orders for the shirts have "skyrocketed."

Tarpey first ordered 12 shirts, that she generously gifted to employees at Wendy's Deli in Mattituck.

"Wendy soon posted a 'thank you' to her on Facebook with the employees holding up their shirts. People started to inquire about the shirts. Wendy graciously offered to sell my shirts at her deli, with $5 from every shirt going to purchase gift cards from local businesses. Those gift cards will be donated to local essential workers. Of course I said 'Yes!'" Henry said.

'A small community brought together'

"During a negative time, what a positive effect this has turned into," she added. "My small business has seen a surge, local businesses will get a benefit, essential workers will be gifted — and hopefully, people will be inspired by the message on these shirts. A small community brought together."

Keeping up with the orders might be overwhelming at first, Henry said. "Wendy and Cassie took over 300 orders in four hours – but I have a very supportive husband and two kids that can't wait to help," she said. "All of my work is done from home, and sometimes it looks like a tornado ripped through my dining room. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

Henry thanked Tarpey, as well as Zuhoski and Nine: "If it weren't for Rose's generosity and Wendy's passion for giving back to the community, this never would have reached as many people as it has. A huge 'thank you' to them."

The shirts epitomize the true spirit of hometown pride and unity during a storm, all involved believe.

And now, more than ever, Henry said, that message of strength during hard times, of standing together as a community, has become so critical.

"It's important for people to band together and show we are stronger than this virus," she said. "To show that we will work together, support each other and come out on top, even stronger than we were before. That’s what it’s all about. Bringing positivity to the community."

Added Zuhoski: "We will get through this together."

The shirts can be purchased on the Wendy's Deli Facebook page and picked up at Wendy's Deli, located at 55 County Rd 48 in Mattituck.