LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A thrift store found selling “counterfeit” Spartan Strong t-shirts late last month, has made a donation to Michigan State University.
“We are very appreciative of the team at Volunteers of America in Lansing who quickly addressed the fraudulent merchandise that was sent to their store,” says Emily Guerrant, MSU vice president and spokesperson. “They took the situation seriously and even made a thoughtful donation to MSU from the proceeds of the unlicensed t-shirts.”
The t-shirts and phrase “Spartan Strong,” were introduced in the wake of the February 13, 2023, mass shooting on campus that left three dead and five injured. T-shirts with the phrase were licensed by the university and sold to raise money to provide support for the victims and their families, as well as the Spartan community.
In fact, days after the fund was announced, the Attorney General and MSU officials warned consumers to be wary of counterfeit items.
6 News discovered the shirts on sale at the Delta Township location of Volunteers of America in late January. Officials at VOA immediately removed the shirts from their sales floor after being contacted by 6 News.