Gainesville native Louis Hokayem has already given back to the community through his involvement with the North Georgia Community Foundation and the banner honoring local legend Deshaun Watson.
Now Hokayem is spearheading another campaign- selling t-shirts with the logo “Good People of Gainesville”. All proceeds from these shirts will go directly to the NGCF and local non-profits that are helping those directly impacted by COVID-19.
The shirts are available for pre-order. A link to purchase them is here.
The phrase “Good People of Gainesville” is derived from a speech delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt following the tornado that destroyed Gainesville in 1936. Hokayem painted a mural in downtown Gainesville several years ago with a depiction of President Roosevelt and the phrase.
Now Hokayem is once again putting the phrase to good use.
“[I] just had a desire to do something positive and uplifting during a time that’s challenging for many people,” said Hokayem. “What better way to share a positive message than wearing it on your chest?”
AccessWDUN reporter Lauren Hunter sat down with Hokayem to discuss where the idea for shirts came from, his goals for the campaign and even his own personal connection to FDR’s statement made nearly 85 years ago.
The full interview can be viewed above.
