LEWISTON, Maine — After selling thousands of Lewiston Strong shirts, hats, stickers, and more, small business Rogue Life Maine donated Friday to the survivors and relatives of the victims of the Lewiston mass shooting.
A check for over 200,000 dollars was presented to the Lewiston Auburn Area Response Fund at a brief ceremony amongst staff and community members.
"I never thought that it would get this big," owner Mark Rodrigue said, who had the idea after the shooting hit so close to home.
"When you actually know, the people that are involved it brings a different light to it. And that's why it was like 'let's jump in,'" Rodrigue added.
Staff shared the journey of initially selling a few hundred items, to then selling thousands of items—they even sold Lewiston Strong products to supporters in France, Germany, and Japan.
"The fact that people all over the United States, and all over the world are wearing these shirts, it's just a testament to us," Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said.
That never-ending empathy has now shaped into a non-profit—the Rogue Life Foundation, which will continue its support for victim's families and survivors.
"It's kind of crazy to see that our product, is kind of the symbol of the good that can come out of it," Rodrigue said, "I think it really did make Lewiston a stronger place to be."