Charity to design bow ties as Joplin fundraiser

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Residents in tornado-ravaged Joplin will get the chance to help design bow ties that will be sold to raise money.

BowTie Cause is partnering with Joplin's George A. Spiva Center for the Arts for the effort. The center will share the profits with the not-for-profit Rebuild Joplin, which was created after the 2011 tornado killed 161 people, The Joplin Globe reported.

BowTie Cause was founded by former NFL linebacker Dhani Jones. The charity has designed signature ties for more than 80 organizations around the country, including the Ronald McDonald House.

Joplin residents will have the chance to submit their ideas during a fun competition Thursday. The intent is for residents -- children, adults and artists -- to "create a visual message for Joplin" on a bow tie, accompanied by a story that explains their design, said Lori Marble, Spiva's public relations coordinator.

"We have to tweak it a bit in order to make the design work on the fabric," Jones said. "We love it because the interaction and conversation rises to the top through something like this. It is awesome to see people embrace the process."

After the finalists are selected Jan. 27, they'll be sent to Jones and BowTie Cause officials for a final decision.

Twelve weeks later, the official Joplin five-ply, woven silk bow tie will be available and ready to purchase. Its price tag will be in the $50 to $60 range.

"I think, especially if it's a Joplin bow tie, that we'll see a great response," Marble said. "I think Joplin has never left the spotlight of the heart of people from across the country."

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Information from: The Joplin (Mo.) Globe, http://www.joplinglobe.com