Portland Razor Company Supports Lewis & Clark Law School Public Interest Law Project

Portland Razor Company proudly supports Lewis & Clark Law School’s Public Interest Law Project, a student-led organization providing assistance to students and attorneys pursuing legal work focused on “advancing justice, enhancing the public good, and protecting the rights of individuals.”

What Does PILP Do?

From the PILP site: 

Founded in 1990 to help fill the justice gap, PILP has two primary goals:

1. To educate students about opportunities to practice public interest law, to reinforce their commitment to public interest law, and to cultivate relationships with public interest law practitioners; and

2. To financially support students and attorneys in their public interest legal work through summer awards and the Loan Repayment Assistance Program.”

How Can You Support PILP?

You can join us in support of PILP by donating directly or by attending their annual auction event in February, for which we have donated a full set of Executive Shave Essentials (see you there)!

SEPTEMBER IMPACT | MAKE A WISH OREGON

In lieu of offering our "Cancer Free" sale this year, we have opted to donate 15% of sales from the first week of September to The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon is an organization of thousands of volunteers, donors and supporters who work to grant life-changing wishes of children with critical illnesses living in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Please read on below for Scott's personal reflections on this decision and what it means to have positive impact for a child battling a critical illness.

Dear Reader,

This week, Portland Razor Company will be partnering with The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon, and donating 15% of all website sales to this great foundation, whose cause is near and dear to my heart. As some of you know, in 2015/2016 I battled cancer and survived with the help of my friends and family. I feel very fortunate to have had this experience but it was certainly the toughest thing I have ever endured. I know that surviving cancer is one of the greatest gifts I could and will ever receive, and it has become a goal in my life to give back.

Every year, thousands of children and their families deal with the same hardships that me and my family did in 2015. Between the physical, mental and emotional stress of battling a critical illness, it can be very difficult for these children to live as positively and as happily as they deserve. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon plays a very important role in helping lift the spirits of these brave Wish Kids and their families. The simple act of granting a wish to a child can have an incredibly positive impact on their mental and physical well being. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon is here to make sure that every Wish Kid is given the chance of happiness. Make-A-Wish has granted thousands of wishes and by donating to this cause, we hope to help grant the wishes of as many children as is possible.

I know first hand that having something to look forward to is important during the treatment of a critical illness. Minutes, hours, days, and months really start to add up when they are spent in a hospital bed. During my treatment, I dreamed of the day that I could once again ride my mountain bike and told myself that every minute of treatment was bringing me ever closer to this dream. One friend brought me some new parts to go on my mountain bike when I could ride it again, and a nurse found an old stationary pedaling machine in the hospital and brought it to my room. These little acts of kindness functioned as reminders that I had a life to look forward to after cancer and helped keep me going. Make A Wish helps give Wish Kids something to look forward to, and I believe that donating to this cause is one of the most effective ways we can help these children and their families.

Myself, my family, and Portland Razor Company all thank you for your continued support, and we wish good health for all of you and your loved ones!

Best,

Scott Miyako

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How It Works

Portland Razor Co. will donate 15%  of all online sales during the first week of September 2018 in support of The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon. These donations will continue through the end of January. We hope to aid those in need as much as we can and thank you for your support.

If you would like to make a donation on your own accord, you can donate directly to Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon here.

December & January Impact | Outside In

For the months of December & January, we are donating proceeds from Honing Services to Outside In, a Portland-based non-profit helping homeless youth and other marginalized people move towards improved health and self sufficiency.

There are an estimated 1,500-2,000 homeless youth in Oregon. These young people experience homelessness for a  variety of reasons including family poverty, violence, mental and physical illness in their families, sexual minority issues, unemployment, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. Without a home or medical care, these young people are forced into difficult lives and on average must be independent a full decade before their peers. Outside In, with its team of trained medical professionals and volunteer network, works tirelessly to step in and change the life path of these at-risk youth for the better. They offer a wide array of services including: housing, education, employment, counseling, medical care, healthy meals, and safety off the streets.

From Outside In:
For 49 years, Outside In has been a grassroots social justice organization supporting disenfranchised members of the Portland community.  Our mission is to help homeless youth and other marginalized people move towards improved health and self-sufficiency.

We are...

• Service providers and advocates.
• Experts in understanding adolescents.
• A Federally Qualified Health Center.
• A licensed Mental Health Agency.
• Leaders in serving LGBTQ youth.

How It Works

Portland Razor Co. will donateº $10 from each Straight Razor Honing Service sold during the month of December 2017 and January 2018, in support of OutsideIn. These donations will continue through the end of January. We hope to aid those in need as much as we can and thank you for your support.

If you would like to make a donation on your own accord, you can donate directly to Outside In here.

ºIncludes sales to Portland Razor Co. retail and web customers, and authorized retailers. No portion of the purchase price is tax deductible.

November Impact | Movember 2017 Part II

This Movember, be the difference in a man’s life. We’re teaming up this month with the Movember Foundation to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health. Last Saturday, we hosted a party at Portland Shave Shop to do just that, and we couldn’t be prouder of how our customers came together to make it a success!

Movember Party @ Portland Shave Shop Recap

Thank you all for spreading the word, showing up, and joining us in supporting men’s health. Spending time together and looking out for each other is at the heart of the Movember message, so to have everyone come together to support one cause feels like a victory on its own.

We kicked things off last Saturday with a straight razor honing class. Many of our students stayed afterwards for a shave or generously contributed to our donation jar. Thank you honing students for traveling from far and wide not just to learn from us, but to celebrate and support Movember with us, too.

Local barbers Eric and Jeramie were booked solid with cuts and shaves and donated 100% of proceeds. We are so, so grateful to be working with such talented, hard-working, giving people. We have to thank our customers as well for filling the books and keeping these guys busy for a good cause!

Our thanks also go out to Hi-Wheel Wine Co. and New Basin Distilling Company for their generous donations and for bringing some warmth and life to the party. If you are visiting Portland, head north to Hi-Wheel’s tasting room in the historic Woodlawn neighborhood! As for New Basin, they distill “pioneering” spirits in Madras, OR, “one way, and only one way: our way. Otherwise what’s the point? In everything we do we’re driven by the same pioneering spirit that made Oregon what it is today." Additionally, many small business owners were in attendance on Saturday. We say it all the time, but the collaborative and supportive nature of the small business community here in Oregon played a part in deciding to start the company here, and we want you to know how much your friendship and support means to us. We look forward to learning and growing alongside you all in the coming years.

Ongoing Fundraising Efforts

Though the party is over, we will continue fundraising throughout the month with our honing service fees. We are donating proceeds from each honing service, and of course you can always make a direct contribution to the Movember Foundation.

Where Does Your Donation Go?

The Movember Foundation funds over 1,200 initiatives in 21 countries, focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. They do a great job of reporting where the money goes and how it’s being used. Last year the foundation raised $16.3 million, with 74.8% going directly to the initiatives and partners they support. You can read a more detailed report on their website.

Other Ways to Get Involved

Perhaps the best thing you can do for men’s health is to reach out. That may look like growing a mo and starting conversations about men’s health with strangers, or checking in with a friend to see how they’re doing. Don’t forget to look after yourself, too! Set a goal to be more physically active this month; walk instead of drive, ride a bike, play catch, try a handstand! Have fun with it, maybe even invite that friend you’ve been meaning to call!

Signal Boost!!!

Again, thank you all for your support and for helping make our fundraising for Movember such a success. If you like the work we’re doing and want to spread the word, please share this post on social media or with someone you care about. Likewise, if you’re hosting a fundraising event for Movember and want to let others know, feel free to leave a comment with a link to the event page or shoot us an email!

What are some other ways you are supporting men’s health this month? Let us know in the comments!

November Impact | Movember 2017

This Movember, be the difference in a man’s life.

We’re teaming up this month with the Movember Foundation to help raise funds and awareness for men’s health initiatives.

Our Personal Story

As you may already know, our founder Scott was diagnosed with stage II testicular cancer in mid-2015, barely a year after starting Portland Razor Co. It goes without saying that cancer is serious business, but Scott’s prognosis was good and he was expected to make a full recovery. And, well, he is! Last month marked his second year cancer-free, he competed in a 24-hour mountain bike race a few weeks ago, and he is able to play Taiko regularly… Let’s just say we’re damn grateful for life to be pretty much back to normal!

Reflecting on Scott’s experience, his positive outcome was undoubtedly influenced by the fantastic organizations that support research and outreach related to men’s health issues. This month, we’re teaming up with the Movember Foundation to give back, raise awareness, and help fund over 1,200 awesome initiatives in support of men’s health.

The Movember Foundation

Movember has built a formidable reputation for raising money and awareness on behalf of men’s health. Their stated mission is “Stopping men dying too young,” which they do by funding initiatives to fight prostate cancer, testicular cancer, as well as mental health and suicide prevention.

Movember makes a couple of great recommendations on their site for living happier, healthier, longer lives:

1. Make man time. Stay connected. Your friends are important and spending time with them is good for you. Catch up regularly, check in and make time.
2. Have open conversations. You don’t need to be an expert and you don’t have to be the sole solution, but being there for someone, listening and giving your time can be life-saving.
3. Know the numbers. At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer and whether it’s right for you to have a PSA test. If you are African American or have a father or brother with prostate cancer, you should be having this conversation at 45. Know your numbers, know your risk, talk to your doctor.
4. Know thy nuts. Get to know what’s normal for your testicles. Give them a check regularly and go to the doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
5. Move, more. Add more activity to your day. Do more of what makes you feel good.

Our Fundraising Efforts

This month, proceeds generated from honing service fees will be going directly to the Movember foundation. This has proven to be an effective and meaningful way for us to donate consistently to causes with immediate need, and we thank you all for making it possible.

We are also hosting an event on November 11th at Portland Shave Shop and will be updating our facebook page with additional details. With the help and exceptional talents of barbers Eric Tolento @et.thebarber and Jeramie Armstrong @oldscoolnewblood, we are donating all proceeds from barbering services on select days to the Movember Foundation. There will be food and drinks, and it would be great to see you (come party with us!). Book your appointment for this special event HERE.

Please Share!

If you don't intend to participate in wither of our initiatives, we encourage you to donate directly to Movember Foundation and help spread the word about this great cause by sharing the event with your friends and family. We thank you for your help and we wish all of you a healthy beginning to the holiday season!