BlueCotton, a custom T-shirt company based in Bowling Green, Ky., kicked off its “2009 Spring of Hope” line Friday by sending tees to the entire Obama family, including one specially made for the soon-to-arrive First Pet.

BlueCotton's "Spring of Hope" T-shirt

The “Spring of Hope” T-shirts are orange to help recognize April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, which is sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. ASPCA urges supporters across the country to “Go Orange for Animals.”

BlueCotton has also lowered its prices on single orders, reducing the price to $29.99 for a custom created T-shirt, with no set-up fees. For every single-shirt order placed throughout the month of April, BlueCotton will donate $1 to the ASPCA.

“It’s during the tough times that we need to deliberately embrace the hope and optimism that remind us that better days are just around the corner,” said Mike Coffey, founder and chief executive officer of BlueCotton. “A dog’s enthusiasm is so pure, and it’s a great reminder that we can choose how we’re going to react to challenging circumstances. This is just a fun way to do our small part--to take what we do, sell custom T-shirts, and use that to make a positive statement. And, we hope, to make people smile.”
 
In addition, BlueCotton is giving away free custom T-shirts by distributing special contest codes via Twitter  throughout the month of April. The first person to respond each day will receive a free T-shirt customized by the winner via BlueCotton’s online DesignStudio.