Buffalo Hero

Sometimes it takes 'the perfect storm' to bring together different people to pull off a great project. In the case of Buffalo Hero it was Buffalo designer Marinette Kozlow who came up with the idea to design a t-shirt that would help to support the efforts of local first responders. "It was nearing the 10-year anniversary (of September 11, 2001) and I felt I really should do something to celebrate what the first responders did on 9/11," Kozlow said. "My cousin, who's a Buffalo police officer, and his wife were going to have their first baby. They were having a son, the shower was coming, and I said here's my chance to really get cracking on this. So I made the Buffalo hero police officer first ... and it's progressed from there."

Marinette's company, Inspired Buffalo, has joined forces with the 100 Club of Buffalo to unveil a clothing line where partial proceeds of each sale go toward an organization whose mission is to "serve those who serve". That organization is the 100 Club of Buffalo, and their partnership with the Buffalo designer goes hand-in-hand with the group's charitable efforts. "The inspiration for the shirts was to celebrate the lives and the jobs these people have chosen," Kozlow said. "They've chosen to sacrifice their own selves for others, and I want to honor them for their sacrifices. I see their bravery and I appreciate it."