Being that we are a brand who features many animals, other charities probably seem more obvious. But the idea for Project FIN was created from a personal relationship with a local homeless man. This gentleman had lived in a wheelchair in our neighborhood since we moved there in 2018, and through the years we provided meals, blankets, umbrellas, clothing, hats, and most importantly, friendship. But in late 2020, the man disappeared and we had no way of finding out what had happened to him or where he went. We figured it was one of two things, always hoping it was on the positive side.

So we were shocked when he reappeared 2 months later, in his wheelchair in his usual spot, using a neck brace as a hat. This man unfortunately didn’t leave because he found a permanent home, he was in the hospital that whole time with SKIN CANCER. It seems so obvious now, but before we didn’t realize how big of an issue this is with the homeless community, and how little the disease is addressed and talked about.

As an owner of a company who provides sun protective clothing, it was almost fate as to what we were supposed to do next. Thus, the creation of Project FIN. Our goal with this initiative is to bring awareness to the risk of skin cancer to our Friends In Need, encourage more free public skin checks, and help personally combat the disease by providing sun protective clothing to those less fortunate.