About the shirts:

• We all wanted to have a shirt that represents the messiness of what healing, growth, and empathy can look like. That is where the symbol of the phoenix comes in. The phoenix is a mythical creature that rises from its ashes, having the courage to retake flight time and time after it is burned, much like humans continue to have the courage to give empathy even after devastating losses and trauma. From this conversation, the shirt's line "Empathy Takes Courage" emerged. We hope that you love it as much as we do and that it resonates with those who know firsthand the struggle that it takes to rise.

• 50% of the profits from these shirts will be donated to Angel Flight Central. Angel Flight is a local charity run by three amazing humans right in the heart of downtown Kansas City. Angel Flight Central's mission is to serve people in need by arranging charitable flights for health care or other humanitarian purposes. ​Every year, Angel Flight Central (AFC) volunteer pilots and supporters provide hundreds of free flights throughout the Midwest for families who need access to specialized health care, camps for special needs, disaster response efforts, and other compassionate reasons. 

The story of Angel Flight Central begins in August 1995 with Founder and Chairman Emeritus, James H. Stevens, Jr. and his first passenger:

"His name was John, an eight-year-old Korean boy suffering from a rare heart abnormality preventing his blood from getting enough oxygen. He was going to die without an operation. Beyond having no health insurance and his adoptive parents experiencing financial hardships, the local hospital simply did not have the expertise to perform the surgery John needed to live. A surgeon and hospital in another state agreed to save this child’s life at no cost to the family if only John could get to their facility.

I offered to fly him. I was shocked to see the blue color of John’s skin. As he was carried to the plane, he looked into my eyes and with the biggest grin you ever saw, gave me a salute and said, 'I’m ready for my first flight, Captain!' During the flight, he was cradled in his mother’s arms as she administered oxygen. After landing he brightened up and asked, 'Can I have my wings now?'

His mother was clearly at a loss for words, and not knowing what to do or to say, simply gave me a long bear hug with tears streaming down her face. Without a word they left and I was hooked. That day I flew over nine hours and not once did I regret my decision."