“Caution: Bus is Turning” T-shirts Benefit House of Hope

RIPTA and Frog & Toad Collaboration Benefits Local Non-Profit
“Caution, bus is turning!”

You’ve heard the warning, now you can wear it. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and local small business Frog & Toad today announced a t-shirt collaboration that will allow you to incorporate the safety warning into your wardrobe. Frog & Toad is selling “Caution: Bus is Turning” T-shirts with proceeds benefiting House of Hope Community Development Corporation. The non-profit will use the donation to purchase transit fare products for their clients. The shirt, designed by local designer and illustrator Dan Freitas, can be purchased on the Frog & Toad website by clicking here or in person at their store located at 795 Hope Street, Providence.

“These types of public-private partnerships help our community thrive and help promote public transportation,” said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA Chief Executive Officer. “I applaud Frog & Toad for their capacity to foster innovation and creativity. I hope to see many Rhode Islanders wearing this shirt.”

Frog & Toad prides itself on being a community-minded business that uses their platform to help others. In the past, the Providence store has leant assistance in numerous crisis situations including the water contamination public health crisis in Flint, Michigan and Super Storm Sandy. The store even started a youth job skills program which helped Providence teens find work. When the pandemic started, owner Asher Schofield quickly learned how effective pairing fun design work with nonprofit fundraising can be when they launched the now viral Knock It Off design which popularized a remark by then Governor Gina Raimondo. They worked with the RI Foundation to raise over $60,000 for their COVID-19 Relief Fund from those t-shirt sales and soon used this business model to continue to do more good in the community.

“We just really love it here in Rhode Island. I think a place is only as strong as its people and non-profits and to that end, this state is the greatest,” said Schofield. “So now when we’re launching a new design, I’m immediately thinking about where a logical place to send the proceeds would be. In the case of this collaboration with RIPTA, House of Hope’s mission aligns perfectly. House of Hope staff is out on the streets every day serving Rhode Island’s most vulnerable populations and the huge number of free bus passes they provide folks in need always seemed to be an effective tool for engagement and empowerment. I know sometimes it might seem like just a silly t-shirt, but when it stands for something bigger, that’s where you can see the power of community.”

“We are honored to be included in this collaboration. Frog & Toad remain visionaries in bringing cross sector groups together for the public benefit, said Laura Jaworski, House of Hope CDC Executive Director. “We affirm housing is a basic human right, and with that comes the need to navigate daily life independently within your community. For many that we serve, access to safe, reliable transportation is a lifeline. This partnership contributes to that effort and helps us broaden our reach.”

House of Hope Community Development Corporation (House of Hope CDC) is Rhode Island’s leading homeless organization. Since 1989, this non-profit organization has provided housing, food, medical resources, and public transportation to the state’s vulnerable populations, including those who are unhoused and facing housing insecurity. Click here to learn more.

The soft white and blue t-shirts show the image of a bus with “Caution: Bus Is Turning” emblazoned in dark and light blue letters. The shirt was designed by local artist Dan Freitas, who last year founded the design studio Fun to Wonder. He says it is an outlet to share spontaneous funny ideas as well as a place to inspire the imagination. Producing mostly posters and printed works, like the retro-futuristic Strange Worlds of When! poster series featuring many iconic Rhode Island landmarks. The “Caution: Bus is Turning” t-shirt is Fun to Wonder’s first piece of apparel.

“I love Providence and I love trying to put clever spins on familiar things, “said Dan Freitas. “The “Caution: Bus is Turning” voice has become such an iconic voice heard around the city. I wanted to merge it with RIPTA’s iconic logo. This design has somewhat of an “if you know, you know” factor to it, which I think adds to the fun. Frog & Toad has been so supportive and helpful to me since I started up. I am thrilled that we are collaborating with RIPTA and House of Hope to support their mission and help people use public transportation. “