Sacred Heart students create "We are Newtown" t-shirt

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Students at one Connecticut university are using classroom learning to give back to those impacted by the tragedy at Sandy Hook.

A philanthropic student-run t-shirt business at Sacred Heart University launched with a t-shirt centering on the Newtown school shooting.

The design on the shirt, featuring the message, "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal, was created by SHU alumnus Jay Roeder.

All funds from the t-shirt sales will benefit the Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Scholarship Fund.

"The philanthropic business idea germinated from TOMS Shoes,” said Mary Treschitta, assistant professor of Art & Design.

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need.

"When the Newtown tragedy unfolded, it presented an area of need and a way to parallel Sacred Heart’s mission to be there and help," said Treschitta.

Jackie Carbonetto, a SHU student majoring in Marketing and Economics with a concentration in Fashion Marketing, was asked to participate in the development process.

"This tragedy hit so close to our university, and I had two cousins who were students at Sandy Hook," Carbonetto said. "This was a great way to give back, while applying our classroom business learning."

School officials said 100 shirts were initially printed and debuted on January 12th at the university's bookstore for $20.

Now a second printing is being considered. The t-shirts are being sold online .