June Hood, who taught art students at Historic Bain Academy for several years, launched the campaign to save the school with “I Love Bain” tee and sweatshirts when a committee was formed to save it.  After ordering several hundred shirts, Hood sold them at special events such as Mint Hill Madness and at places around town. In her sales pitch she would always talk about the school and its lasting influence on young people, as well as the importance of saving it for future generations.

“The first time I saw Bain Academy as a little girl, it seemed huge to me,” she recalls. “I attended plays and concerts there, and it became my window to the world….John Bain, who founded the school, gave everything he had to build the school for the Mint Hill community.  His sacrificial gift has endured for generations.

“The Bain shirts have been really popular,” she adds.  “I think they may be a collector’s item some day.”

The Historic Restoration Committee is currently selling the “I Love Bain” tee shirts for $5 each and sweatshirts for $8 each.  Anyone interested in purchasing a shirt may send a message to Marti Wyatt, a member of the Historic Bain Restoration Committee, at wyattm@uncw.edu or 910-409-4038.