Teal for Texas

Three business majors were given a project for their entrepreneurial leadership class, but decided to turn it into something much bigger than Coastal Carolina University.

Mary Rufo, Taylor Moon and Trevor Greene were given an $8 start-up capital and their objective was to make the biggest impact they could in only 10 days, so they decided to help out those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“We knew we wanted to do something that affected more than just us, so that’s why we did pick Hurricane Harvey and the American Red Cross as a legitimate organization,” said Rufo. “Everyone trusts them, people donating to them know the money is going where it should.”

The trio said they were inspired to help after going through Hurricane Matthew, which impacted South Carolina last October.

“After Hurricane Matthew hit us, we know the devastation that that caused here…it’s something that’s really close to this community,” said Moon. “We felt like we should give back.”

Through The American Red Cross, they created a website, Teal for Texas, where people could donate to help out. Their goal was to raise $10,000 in ten days.

As of Sunday at 8:30 p.m., the group has raised $3,010.

Moon and Rufo were surprised by how quickly their project took off when they raised over $1,000 in just a little over 24 hours.

“It’s been a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be,” said Moon. “Everyone I know has been sharing it, people I don’t know have been sharing it, so the word is really getting out there…”

Moon and Rufo said Teal for Texas goes way beyond their class project, and themselves. It’s about helping those who so desperately need it.

“It makes me feel really fortunate that we are in a position where we can step up and help,” said Rufo. “If we were in Texas, or anyone else that was hit by Hurricane Harvey, we would be the ones needing help. It makes me happy that we can step up and help, and if that were to happen to us, other people would step up, too.”

Since the project started, the trio have been featured on Carolina and Co. Live, WRNN radio, and ABC 15 News.

“I keep going back to I can’t believe it got this big,” said Moon. “I’m just amazed by how much people really wanted to give back and help out Texas, and it came from us. It’s just one idea for our class and it’s huge now.”

To donate, click here.