HALL COUNTY, Ga. — In the wake of a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School, support for students, teachers and the wider community continues to pour in. Businesses across Georgia have stepped up, using their platforms and resources to help those affected.
One such effort began with Priscilla York, a Hoschton resident, and owner of a custom apparel business, Cedar Blush Boutique. What started as a simple idea to raise money for the victims has grown into a massive community-driven project.
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York, who has lived in Winder for ten years, shared that the event had a profound impact on her and the community.
“We lived in Winder for 10 years, and so that was super tragic, obviously, for the whole community, and it stretched far beyond that,” York said.
Initially, York set out to raise funds by selling spirit wear for Apalachee High and Barrow County, anticipating around 100 orders. But the response far exceeded her expectations — over 3,200 orders flooded in.
"I figured I could raise some money for the victims and the families in the community who are going through this. And I thought maybe I'd get like 100 orders or so, and it's been like 3,200,” York said.
Faced with overwhelming demand, York turned to her friend Ashlyn Murphy, who runs another business, Right Meow or Never Boutique, in Loganville. Murphy, moved by the community's need and the rapid traction York’s initiative was gaining, stepped in to assist.
"Thursday morning, I believe I saw it had earned a lot of traction, and I thought I need to reach out because I have many employees, and we can help get this done," Murphy said.
Murphy’s connection to the cause runs deep. A former teacher and a mother of school-aged children, the tragedy struck close to home.
"I used to be a teacher in Gwinnett County, many years ago, so between that and having kids in school, it really hit hard,” Murphy said.
As the orders continue to roll in, the project has spread beyond the Barrow County community. Murphy shared that even residents in Walton County, where her business operates, wanted to show their support for Apalachee High.
“The girls on my side of town, I'm in Walton County, wanted in. They wanted to have their schools represented and show support for the Apalachee community," she added.
The proceeds from the shirts will be donated to the Barrow County Community Foundation. So far, York and Murphy’s combined efforts have raised $50,000 and provided shirts for every teacher at Apalachee High School.
As York and Murphy continue to work tirelessly, their goal remains simple — keeping hope and support stitched into every shirt they make.
“If this is a little way that we can make a difference, we are proud to be able to support the community in this way,” Murphy said.