Alas, I sold 51 Scholar t-shirts, which translated into $255 donated to Neighborhood House SUN Schools! I also turned over the remaining stock of t-shirts for Neighborhood House to use as they see fit. It was a fun project, and I have heard more than one story of people connecting when they recognize someone else wearing the distinctive black and red shirt. Let’s see what happens next…
Final SCHOLAR Update
The Scholar T-Shirt Is Back Again!
NEW PRICE, SAME AMOUNT GOES BACK TO NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
[Full Disclosure: I hustled this little t-shirt all over town about two years ago. But the rest of my life got the best of me after a while, and I dropped the ball. However, my commitment to the cause has not diminished, and I want to cross the finish line on this project, so I'm renewing my efforts to sell every last t-shirt and donate the funds to Neighborhood House SUN Schools because, even though I dropped the ball, they've kept on quietly serving those in our community who need it most.]
A little background
When this project first got rolling (now two years ago), I was just trying to think of a creative way to make a little extra money on the side. But I can never justify making money for myself without giving back in some way. So, I spoke to a teacher I was working with at Jackson Middle School about ways a little extra cash might be helpful over there.
SUN Community Schools
He immediately pointed me to the SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Community Schools program that’s in operation at Jackson through Neighborhood House. SUN School provides a long list of services to students and adults in the Jackson community. Furthermore, Neighborhood House operates six other SUN Community Schools in Southwest and North Portland, doing the same work of connecting communities to schools, and offering educational enrichment and social services.
So, what?
Well, when you purchase one of these dope looking t-shirts (if I do say so, myself), I’m going to give $5.00 directly to the Neighborhood House SUN Schools. You get to sponsor a Scholar right here in your own community. That’s the what.
About the shirts
These shirts have been designed and printed right here in Portland, Oregon. The good folks over at Ink Screens have done an excellent job using high quality soft cotton t-shirts. They are available in adult sizes Small–XX-Large.
Sponsor a Scholar. Be a Scholar. ONLY $10! Email: info [at] chrisriser [dot] com for details on ordering.
Portlandia!
Here it is, kids: I’m doing a free show at the old stomping grounds tomorrow night! That’s right, the Tea Zone’s Camellia Lounge
is welcoming me back this summer with another free show. Come through and get your drink on while we give you something to feel. And bring a friend. They’ll love you for it.
So sorry for the last minute notice, but I know you can do it.
Who: Chris Riser, Northern Draw, and Dj Common Denominator on the tables
When: 7/8 9-11PM
Where: The Tea Zone’s Camellia Lounge (
‘em), 510 NW 11th (11th and Glisan in the Pearl)
What: FREE! 21+ in the Lounge, all ages are welcome in the Tea Zone (the front of the shop).
Thinker Toys in Multnomah Village is now carrying a small inventory of the Scholar t-shirt. That means you don’t even have to order. Just pop in and grab one in your size. Only $15.00, and a full $5.00 goes directly to Neighborhood House SUN community schools!
Also, I spoke with the wonderful Rosetta, an employee at Thinker Toys, about the whole program. She had received questions about which sites would benefit from the contributions. Here’s what I can tell you.
Neighborhood House administers seven (7) SUN community schools throughout the Portland area. They are: Clarendon-Portsmouth K-8, George Middle, Jackson Middle, Markham Elementary, Penninsula K-8, Robert Gray Middle, and Roosevelt High.
If you are a parent at one of these schools and would like to know how they might benefit from Scholar t-shirt contributions, please contact Neighborhood House via email or by calling them at (503) 244-2292.
The folks over at the Human Bean did our community a great service by advertising the Scholar T-Shirt Project and the cause associated. We even sold a few shirts, and certainly elevated community awareness about Neighborhood House and the SUN community schools they operate. To the baristas at the Human Bean: Thank you so very much!
Next stop: Thinker Toys in Multnomah Village. Ty and Joan have graciously agreed to display the t-shirt, posters and flyers, and are going to accept orders and payments for the shirts! They’ll have a form to fill out, and I’ll be in each Monday to fill requests. So, stop into the Village and check out the Scholar Tee at Thinker Toys!
Today and Tomorrow Only!
The Lovely ladies at the Human Bean near Jesuit (see map below for directions) will be wearing and selling my Scholar tees while slanging some of the finest coffee this side of the river. So, skip the mega-chain you’re used to and head over for your dose of wake-up juice, a t-shirt, and a certified smile!
Remember, each shirt sold means a $5.00 contribution to Neighborhood House SUN schools! This is a great way to support education right here in our own community!
The Scholar T-Shirt
The Scholar T-Shirt Is Here!
A little background
When this project first got rolling, I was just trying to think of a creative way to make a little extra money on the side. But I can never justify making money for myself without giving back in some way. So, I spoke to a teacher I was working with at Jackson Middle School about ways a little extra cash might be helpful over there.
SUN Community Schools
He immediately pointed me to the SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Community Schools program that’s in operation at Jackson through Neighborhood House. SUN School provides a long list of services to students and adults in the Jackson community. Furthermore, Neighborhood House operates six other SUN Community Schools in Southwest and North Portland, doing the same work of connecting communities to schools, and offering educational enrichment and social services.
So, what?
Well, when you purchase one of these dope looking t-shirts (if I do say so, myself), I’m going to give $5.00 directly to the Neighborhood House SUN Schools. You get to sponsor a Scholar right here in your own community. That’s the what.
About the shirts
These shirts have been designed and printed right here in Portland, Oregon. The good folks over at Ink Screens have done an excellent job using high quality soft cotton t-shirts. They are available in adult sizes Small–XX-Large.
Sponsor a Scholar. Be a Scholar. Click here to order your Scholar shirt today.
We’re LIVE!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce that CHRISRISER.COM is back in action!
SUSTAINABLEHIPHOP.COM will soon follow suit, along with the unveiling of a new site designed to incorporate and go beyond these two in scope. Soon it will be time to make movements, history in action.
Shout out to the hackers that tried to slow me down.




