Just Cause : Many Charitable Groups Spread the Word and Feed the Coffers by Selling Items Emblazoned With a Meaningful Message, Slogan or Logo

You need to get your charitable organization’s message out. And making money for your not-for-profit cause would also be nice. What’s the plan?

Here’s how some do it: Sell something--anything--with a slogan on it. People tend to buy T-shirts, bandannas and even golf gloves that help out their favorite charities.

With this in mind, the nonprofit Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center of Orange County is selling People Pins to raise money for its Adopt a Social Worker program, which helps organizations that provide for young victims of abuse and neglect.

“I carry them whenever I go, and I’ve sold them off my body at Nordstrom,” says Robin Hoffman, program coordinator. “They’re great for holiday gifts and teachers’ gifts.”

Each colorful, 2-inch-by-2-inch pin ($12) is available through the Exchange Club, 2482 Newport Blvd., Suite 7, Costa Mesa, CA 92627; (714) 722-1107.

The nonprofit National Conference in Costa Mesa--which organizes events to bring people of different faiths together--sells to Orange County schools and churches large quantities of white cotton T-shirts with the message “Nobody’s Born a Bigot” ($10).

“We’re not in the T-shirt business, but we’ve been selling them for a few years. They’re something groups can use to get the message out,” says director Bill Shane. “They buy a large number from us then sell them to make money.”

The National Conference can be reached at (714) 668-9191.

Here’s a sampling of other groups and their merchandise:

* The Foundation for Advancements in Breast Care, a nonprofit affiliate of the Breast Care Center at St. Joseph Medical Plaza in Orange, has a women’s leather golf glove ($15) with a pink ribbon to symbolize breast cancer awareness. It should also remind women to have routine mammograms and checkups and practice self-examination. The glove is available at many local pro shops or by calling (800) 824-3707.

* The Fullerton Public Library needs $150,000 to expand its children’s room and add computer terminals, books, videos and audio-visual materials. Challenge 150, the campaign to raise the money, is publicized on white cotton T-shirts ($10-$12) and polo shirts ($20). Orders can be sent to the Fullerton Public Library Foundation, 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832; or call (714) 738-6380.

* The Upper Newport Bay Naturalists, a nonprofit organization that protects the back bay’s ecological reserve and regional park, is selling items to raise money to buy educational materials, microscopes, trail maintenance equipment, tour supplies and canoe paddles. Merchandise--from bandannas imprinted with silhouettes of endangered bay birds ($5) to birdhouses ($10)--are available Wednesday through Saturday at the Fish and Game Headquarters, 600 Shellmaker Road, Newport Beach; or call (714) 640-6746.

* The Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County sells T-shirts to promote volunteerism. A gray cotton T-shirt has the center’s logo, and a white one celebrates the Youth Leadership Council, which encourages teen volunteerism (either is $10). The center is at 1901 E. 4th St., Suite 110, Santa Ana; (714) 953-5757.