West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
It’s a holiday tradition in West Seattle – baking cookies for The Christmas People to include with meals they’re providing to people in need – and again this year, people are amply answering the call. We invited cookie bakers to share photos; the one above is from Betsy, who delivered more than a thousand cookies baked by Tibbetts United Methodist Church “and friends” to dropoff spot West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor). We also got pics from Katie, whose kids contributed – Cora baked gingerbread spritz cookies:
And Julian baked apple-cider snickerdoodle cookies:
If you have home-baked cookies to donate, take them to WSC 10 am-4 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, December 24). No fancy packaging required – box, bag, whatever. But do include a note/label if they contain nuts/nut butter(s).
After the Mariners made it into the league-championship series last year, tickets are more prized than ever as a holiday gift. Here’s how to get some for a June 2026 game while also benefiting a local high-school-baseball program:
West Seattle Day at T-Mobile Park – Support WSHS Baseball
West Seattle High School Baseball isn’t just playing for wins — they’re playing for West Seattle. And this season, our community has a chance to help send the Wildcats back to the biggest stage of all: T-Mobile Park.
Each year, only 20 high school programs across the region are invited to participate in the Mariners Baseball Classic, an opportunity that allows student-athletes to play on an MLB field. West Seattle was one of the first schools ever included — and staying in the Classic is something our players must earn every year.
That’s where West Seattle Day at T-Mobile Park comes in.
The WSHS Baseball program is hosting a Mariners ticket fundraiser for the Mariners vs. New York Mets game on Tuesday, June 2 at 6:40 PM. Ticket sales directly fund the program and secure West Seattle’s spot in the Mariners Baseball Classic, which is free for the whole community to attend.
Game Details
*Mariners vs. Mets
*Tuesday, June 2
*6:40 PM
*100 Level: $30 | 300 Level: $20This is more than a night at the ballpark — it’s how West Seattle shows up for local kids, local schools, and a program that represents our neighborhood with pride. Every ticket supports equipment, transportation, training, and unforgettable opportunities for our student-athletes.
Can’t attend? Tickets can be gifted or donated to local organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, community centers, and youth baseball/softball programs (like WSLL and WSBB) — spreading the love and the game across West Seattle.
Let’s fill the stands in blue, cheer loud, and show the Mariners what West Seattle support looks like.
Here’s where to buy your ticket(s): wshs.schoolauction.net/marinerstickets/homepages/show
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
If you’ve got the time, why not bake an extra tray of Christmas cookies this year for The Christmas People’s 27th annual cookie drive?
After last year’s donations totaling more than 9,000 cookies for King County’s underserved and unhoused population, The Christmas People are accepting dropoffs at three venues, including one in our area – West Seattle Coworking (WSB sponsor), at 9030 35th Avenue SW.
Drop-offs started this morning at 10 am and will run until 4 pm today, tomorrow, December 23rd, and the day after, on Christmas Eve. According to 5-year volunteer (and West Seattle Coworking proprietor) Ross, they experience the most traffic on the 24th, so plan to complete your baking before then if you want to avoid the rush.
Keep in mind that The Christmas People repackage all of the cookies for donation, so don’t worry about fancy packaging. “They could be in a shoebox,” Ross joked. “Take that extra ten minutes and bake another tray, if you can.”
For any questions, you can contact Christmas People co-founder Fred Hutchinson at 206-719-4979 or pialley@jps.net.
4:26 PM: We stopped by just before 4 pm; Ross and another volunteer were packaging cookies. He estimated unofficially they’ve probably received 1,500 so far – many more needed!
(Photo sent by Karl Sutter)
10:56 AM: Also happening today – the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is back at their usual spot at the south end of the WS Farmers’ Market, today collecting nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank. You can drop off donations at their booth at California/Alaska (by Easy Street Records) until 2 pm. Here’s a list of what they need most.
(Photo sent by Denis Sapiro)
2:11 PM: We stopped by the booth while at the market and learned from Kiwanian Denis Sapiro that they’d received a ukulele serenade – above, he sent the pictorial proof. If you missed this chance to donate to the food bank, some local businesses – including nearby Fitness Together (upstairs at 4546 California SW; WSB sponsor) – are still collecting food donations (see the list in our Holiday Guide), and you can send a monetary contribution to the WSFB online.
(2023 reader photo, from 600+ cookies baked by Tibbetts United Methodist Church ‘and friends’)
Got some time to bake this weekend? When we first published The Christmas People‘s announcement that they hope to receive thousands of homemade cookies again this year, we promised to remind you when the time grew near – so here’s the announcement again:
Home-baked cookies are needed this year for the 18 shelters, centers, camps we serve during Christmas Week. West Seattle Coworking, 9030 35th Avenue SW, will again accept cookies, Monday, Dec. 22, Tuesday, Dec. 23 and Wednesday, Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No special packaging is necessary. Cookies may also be dropped off at Artisan Community Kitchen, 10836 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, Monday through Thursday, Dec. 22-25.
Please label any cookies with nuts, peanut butter, gluten-free, etc. Cookies may be frozen. Contact Fred Hutchinson, co-founder, at 206-719-4979 or pialley@jps.net
If you bake/donate cookies – consider sending us a photo of your cookies, and/or you and helper(s), if any – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Bring a new/lightly used coat and/or other warm clothing to the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today, and your reward will be a cup of cocoa, plus of course the knowledge you’ve done a good deed! It’s the annual West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays “Cocoa and Coat Drive,” gathering up bundles and bins full of warm clothing for the West Seattle Food Bank‘s clothing bank Clothesline. Volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle are here to help. (above are Whit, Robbin, Sawyer, Denis from WSFB and the Kiwanis – look for the Food Bank van!) The market is on until 2 pm.
If you plan on getting a Christmas tree but don’t have it yet, the Holy Rosary School Tree Lot wants you to know this is its final weekend – here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
While we are open through December 16th, this is the last weekend of the Holy Rosary Tree Lot. Located behind the school [map], enter through the alley off Dakota. Freshly cut trees (2-10′), wreath and garland available.
Not only does the Tree Lot benefit Holy Rosary School, but a portion of the proceeds are donated to the West Seattle Food Bank and Salvation Army Hickman House. New this year, the lot is also collecting new and gently used coats for our neighbors in need at Union Gospel Mission.
Come support Holy Rosary School and local charities by purchasing your tree and greenery at the oldest, continuously run tree lot in West Seattle!
The tree lot will be open at 9 am both days this weekend, closing at 9 pm on Saturday, 8 pm on Sunday. It’s on the list of West Seattle Christmas-tree sellers you can find any time in our West Seattle Holiday Guide.
Sent by a Fairmount Park Elementary parent:
Fairmount Park fifth graders need West Seattle’s support to get to IslandWood in January
State cuts put IslandWood trip at risk, and the Fairmount Park community is rallying to make sure no student has to stay behind. Here’s the link to help.
Fifth graders at Fairmount Park Elementary School are heading to IslandWood in January, and they need help from the West Seattle community to make sure every student can participate.
Now in its ninth year, Fairmount Park’s overnight outdoor education trip—affectionately called “fifth grade camp”—has become one of the school’s most cherished traditions: nearly 700 Falcons have taken part over the years, building confidence, teamwork, and a deeper connection with learning and nature. This year’s fifth graders can’t wait to get there!
But the program is facing an unexpected challenge.
Earlier this year, the Washington State legislature eliminated all outdoor education funding from its two-year budget—despite evidence of outdoor education’s impact on students and strong support. Schools and outdoor education providers—including IslandWood—lost critical subsidies and grants that previously kept these immersive programs accessible for students across the state.
For Fairmount Park, the state grant that once covered most of the cost for IslandWood is gone. As a result, the per-student cost has more than doubled, putting this seminal experience out of reach for many families.
Fairmount Park has always ensured that every student can attend camp, regardless of ability to pay, and the community is determined to keep that promise.
The total cost to send 50+ fifth graders to IslandWood in January is $20,500. To keep the experience accessible to all students and address the unexpected and time-sensitive funding gap, the school community is working to raise the majority of that amount over the next month.
Here’s how much community support helps reduce the cost for families:
At $10,000 raised, the cost drops below $200 per student.
At $15,000 raised, the cost falls to about $100 per student.
At $20,500, the cost of camp is covered for every student.
Every contribution makes a difference, and is tax deductible (IslandWood is a registered 501c3). Sharing the link with friends or neighbors helps too.
The Fairmount Park community appreciates any support West Seattle neighbors can offer to help ensure every fifth grader gets to experience the magic of “fifth grade camp.”
Please use this link to donate and share: https://support.islandwood.org/campaign/fy26-sop-fundraising-fairmont/c744308
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
This year, Nucor Steel (WSB sponsor) and its workers literally outdid themselves with their annual holiday-season gifts for the West Seattle Food Bank, delivered this morning to WSFB HQ in High Point.
A truck from Certified Hydraulics served as Santa’s sleigh to transport the nearly three tons of donated food from Nucor’s mill next to the West Seattle Bridge:
From cans of Ensure to flats of Sriracha, cases of soup cans and mac-and-cheese boxes, WSFB says all this will help them provide a variety of food to the growing number of people in need of their services.
WSFB’s development director Robbin Peterson explains that this is Nucor’s biggest gift yet: “This year they looked up what every department had raised in the past and found the highest for each department and requested they beat that number” – and, she says, they did! 5,900 pounds of food, and $31,201 worth of cash, checks, and gift cards:
That includes a company match of $1 for every pound of food and dollar donated – here’s a closer look at the ceremonial check, with WSFB’s Robbin and executive director Fran Yeatts:
We asked them what the WSFB is most in need of right now, if you’re able to give. Obviously money remains big – they can buy more food with your dollar – but they also need baby essentials like diapers, wipes, and formula. Many places have WSFB bins this season; more donation information is on their website. Also note that the WSFB clothing bank Clothesline is the beneficiary from the Cocoa and Coat Drive coming up Sunday (December 14) at the south end of the WS Farmers Market (California/Alaska, 10 am-2 pm).
One week from Friday, you’re invited to support the Active Older Adult community at the Fauntleroy YMCA at the “Noche de Gala” event. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
This is an event celebrating our Active Older Adult community for a night of dressing up, good eats, and remembering the year we had together:
Friday 12/19, 5:30-7:30 pm
Fauntleroy YMCA Chapel Hall
9140 California Ave SW$25/person. Registration link is here.
Many holiday happenings are scheduled for nights and weekends. Here’s one you can visit on a weekend morning, if you’re free at this time of day … the Fauntleroy Church Festival of Trees is open for drop-in visits, 9 am to noon Mondays through Thursdays, all month long, plus two weekend windows we’ll mention at the end of this story.16 trees are placed around the Fellowship Hall, and no two are alike.
The Peanut Butter Tree, by the church’s Caring Ministry, is in the spirit of the event, which is also a food drive – bring a can or jar or package and place it under your favorite to “vote”! Then there’s the tree that fuses two holidays:
“Boos and Sparkles” was created by the Fulford Family. Another tree offers a quiz of sorts:
Students of Low Tide Arts (in the same building as the church and Y) ask whether you recognize any of these famous artworks! On the other side of the room, the theme is Seattle sports:
“A Fellowship Group” created the sports tree. At another tree, you can learn “The Legend of the Christmas Spider“:
That was entered by the Tucker/Dwyer Family. Sixteen trees in all (thanks to Judy Pickens for this list) are set up, so we’ve barely shown you a third – go stop by the Fellowship Hall at the church (9140 California SW) and bring a food donation if you can. If you can’t get there on a weekday morning, you can also visit the trees during a 6 pm reception before the church’s 7 pm Christmas concert on Saturday, December 20, and during the reception after the 4 pm concert on Sunday, December 21.
If you can donate a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots (or more than one), in addition to the ongoing drives we’ve mentioned in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, there are two special opportunities tomorrow (Saturday, December 6):
KIWANIS CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Along with an incredible breakfast deal ($8/advance, $10/door for pancakes, ham, and beverage), U.S. Marines will be there to accept unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. 7 am-11 am, Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), and Santa will be there too.
(WSB photo at Station 29 during last year’s toy drive)
SEATTLE FIRE STATION 29 TOY DRIVE: On Saturday afternoon, 2-4 pm, the Seattle Fire Department hosts a Toys for Tots drive at a few of its stations around the city. In West Seattle, Station 29 is participating – 2139 Ferry Avenue SW in North Admiral. Bring a toy and meet firefighters!
OTHER TOY/FOOD/ETC. DRIVES: See the Giving Opportunities section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – still adding to it!
Earlier this week on Giving Tuesday, we mentioned half a dozen ways to support local school/youth groups. We have one more – the West Seattle High School music program launched a “direct drive” this week and asked us to tell you about it:
… You may not realize that our music program is nearly 100% funded by donations and fundraising. That means that any new instrument purchased for our school, any repairs, piano tuning, new music, coaching, financial aid, etc. are paid for with funds raised during our two annual fundraisers, the Direct Drive and our Big Band Dinner Dance. Our direct drive operates just like the public radio or PBS fundraisers, where we simply seek donations to help our program operate. We are not selling anything, students don’t need to carry order forms for wrapping paper or candy bars, we are just looking for donations. Here is how you can help:
-Consider making a tax-deductible donation to our music program. Our Friends of West Seattle Music and Drama boosters is a 501c3 organization. The donation link can be found on our FOWSMD website found here. There is no donation too small or too large!
-Do you work for a company that does matching donations? Double your impact!
-Help us spread the word about our campaign and fundraising goal!We happily take donations all year long, but we only do our fall fundraising campaign between the Thanksgiving holiday and our final Winter Concert on December 18th. See the attached document for more information. Thank you so much for your continued support and helping us towards our goal.
You can go here to donate.
(Bloodworks Northwest file photo)
One week from Sunday, not only can you donate to the Hometown Holidays Coat Drive in The Junction – also, if you can donate blood, you can do that too. On Sunday, December 14, the Bloodworks Northwest van will be near California and Alaska for a special Junction drive between 9 am and 3 pm, and more than a dozen appointments are open – go here to sign up.
That’s the Giving Tree on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, and it’s one of two opportunities we’re spotlighting today to support SSC students this season, along with four other local youth/school support options for you to consider on this Giving Tuesday. First, from SSC:
Giving Tree for Student Families
Through Dec. 10, South Seattle College’s Human Resources Office is hosting a Giving Tree to support students and their families this holiday season. Community members are invited to select a child’s wish tag from the tree in the Robert Smith Building and return unwrapped gifts with the tag by December 10. Students will receive their gifts during finals week (Dec. 15-19).
In addition to selecting gifts for a child, donations of new, unused unwrapped toys, toiletries (such as shampoo, conditioner, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hair-care items), and gift-wrapping supplies (new or gently used wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, greeting cards, and unused gift tags) are welcomed.
If you would like to help out, please visit South Seattle Colleges Human Resources Office, located in the Robert Smith Building (RSB) on main campus in West Seattle. You can select gifts for a child from the Giving Tree and drop off miscellaneous gifts, toiletries and wrapping supplies. A red a-frame sign directs visitors to the HR Office from the RSB Courtyard. Please view the South Seattle College main campus map and Robert Smith Building detail map for more details. Questions? HR.South@seattlecolleges.edu.
Food Pantry Donations
South Seattle College food pantries provide a vital service to our students. In recent years, over 50% of South students have reported food insecurity due to rising grocery costs and other barriers. We operate food pantries at main campus in West Seattle and at our Georgetown campus to provide students with shelf-stable groceries, fresh food items, toiletries and diapers. Two links for donations:
Main Campus Food Pantry Fundraising Site
Georgetown Campus Food Pantry Fundraising Site
Four more opportunities to support local students:
West Seattle High School Mock Trial Team – This new student-founded team has to raise $900 for the fee to enter competition. Not familiar with Mock Trial? Here’s how the team’s founder, WSHS sophomore Zoe Bryant, describes it:
Mock Trial is an in-school program where students prepare and present a legal case as attorneys, witnesses, and courtroom staff such as bailiff. It teaches public speaking, critical and quick thinking, teamwork, and confidence while giving students real exposure to the justice system! … We want to give the team an equal chance to compete and participate regardless of any financial barriers! This is why we need your support!
You can help them get into the competition in February by donating here.
Chief Sealth Basketball ‘Play It Forward’ – Not only are you giving, but so are the beneficiaries of this unique fundraiser for Chief Sealth International High School‘s basketball programs, which are just starting their seasons. We featured “Play It Forward” in mid-November; they’re up to two-thirds of their goal, and asked for a Giving Tuesday reminder. (Here’s the direct donation link.)
Skunk Works Robotics – Also gearing up for its next season is this team with many local members:
Skunk Works Robotics Team 1983 is gearing up for the 2026 FIRST Robotics season! We’re already spending tons of hours working on designing, wiring, and coding for our next competitive robot, and we’re picking up some seriously cool engineering, electrical and business skills while we’re at it. Your donation today directly funds the awesome hardware and tools we need to make the magic happen!
Skunk Works Robotics, which is a 4-H community team, has provided hands-on STEM education to local students for over 19 years, regardless of their financial situation. Volunteer mentors and coaches have helped the team achieve a 100% college acceptance rate and pave the way for successful STEM careers.
Donate Today: skunkworks1983.com/donate
Fairmount Park PTA – We’ve spotlighted several elementary school PTA/PTSA/PTO campaigns lately but not yet this one, which is in its final week:
Fairmount Park PTA Blue Envelope Direct Give – supporting:
Additional Math and Reading Support Staff
Instrumental Music Program
Art, Music, PE and Library Programs
Classroom Teachers Grants
Food Support Program
Assemblies and School Events
Afterschool Enrichment
Again, we mention opportunities for community support frequently, and everyone who’s benefited is thankful for community support – even if you can’t donate, learning and knowing about what’s happening with your neighbors is priceless too. You can see the latest stories we’ve published any time by scrolling through our “How to Help” category archive.
The Tuesday after Black Friday is traditionally its flip side … Giving Tuesday. We publish giving opportunities almost every day, and your inbox is likely brimming with requests today. We have a few to share, starting with this one sent to us by a friend of the family. Less than two weeks ago, 34-year-old Darby Bukowski died in childbirth. Her son Wyatt survived and is with his dad Jackson. Friends and family are crowdfunding not only for current expenses but to provide for Wyatt’s future. Friend Karla, in sharing this link about Darby, told us, “She was so excited to become a mother, and I was so looking forward to her experiencing the wonderful support and community she would have found among the families and neighbors who make this area so special. Darby was a true joy to be around. She made everyone feel welcome and seen, and she had a natural gift for putting people at ease. Her bright, beautiful smile was contagious.” Karla tells us that Darby’s due date had been November 19, and she died as Wyatt was born November 22, so he was born full-term.
That’s another view of one of the windows broken at Baked Custom Cakes in The Admiral District by a vandal who also broke windows at Alki Bike and Board next door, as reported here on Thanksgiving Day. The holidays can be a make-or-break time for small businesses, but these two are bearing extra expense because of the vandalism. We mentioned Alki Bike and Board’s sales last weekend; Baked also has something you might want to buy:
Proprietor Kristina tells WSB that she’s selling gingerbread kits – not just houses, but also cookies – that matter a lot to her bottom line “especially this season with having to replace my shop windows; as you can imagine those are not cheap and this is a slower time for me so these really get me through the holidays.” You can order kit(s) online at curbside-store.square.site. (Part of the proceeds also benefit West Seattle Food Bank.)
Now that December has begun, January is in view, and it’s not too soon to think about resolutions for 2026. If you’re thinking about volunteering, here’s an option: Volunteer to talk with adult English-language learners who want to practice conversation skills.
A new conversation circle is starting up at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), Friday afternoons, 12:30 pm to 2 pm, January 9 through March 13, in partnership with Literacy Source. If you’re interested in volunteering, email carolines@literacysource.org (and if you’re a beginning/intermediate English-language learner interested in participating, just show up on January 9).
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s main mission is to support local youth – including local Scout troops and Key Clubs at local high schools. One way to help them do that is to buy tickets for their annual holiday Pancake Breakfast, coming up December 6 (one week from tomorrow, with Santa photos as part of the deal). Another way: Bid in their online auction, with items up for grabs including shopping sprees at West Seattle businesses. The auction is open now and you can bid by going here! You can also buy Pancake Breakfast tickets at the Kiwanis’s booth at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market this Sunday – 10 am-2 pm, California/Alaska. (WSB is a community co-sponsor of the Pancake Breakfast.)
West Seattle is served by two food banks. Most of the peninsula is in the jurisdiction of the West Seattle Food Bank. But south West Seattle is in the jurisdiction of the White Center Food Bank. And as with WSFB, it’s faced with growing need. “While SNAP/food stamp benefits have been temporarily restored, uncertainty remains and the demand on our services continues to grow. We were stretched thin even before these shifts, and we are actively working to ensure we can continue meeting the evolving needs of our community,” writes WCFB’s Randy Nguyen in the food bank’s “end-of-year appeal,” which we were asked to share. They’re thankful for “incredible support, from hosted food drives to financial donations and volunteer hours, all of which have helped us keep our community fed,” but now is the time to step it up: “This season is a crucial time for nonprofits, and every gift helps us meet the growing needs of families, seniors, and individuals who rely on our services, while ensuring we can keep the community fed into the new year, when donations decline but demand remains steady.” Last year, WCFB distributed more than 1.6 million pounds of food, and this year’s total will be higher. They’re asking you, if you can, to make a tax-deductible gift before year’s end – just go here.
Friends of Roxhill Elementary are gathering community support for families at their “small but mighty” school – here’s the request we were asked to share:
This year, more than any in recent memory, families at Roxhill Elementary are reaching out for support. With rising costs, limited government assistance, and growing food insecurity, more than 50 of our families have asked for help with groceries and basic essentials. That’s why we’re turning to our West Seattle community to help us ensure these families are supported through our Winter Basic Needs Fundraiser.
Roxhill is a small-but-mighty Title I school in the south end of West Seattle, serving approximately 250 students. 60% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch, and more than 72% come from BIPOC communities. What truly defines our school, though, is our strong sense of community—our commitment to showing up for one another in meaningful ways.
During winter break, many students lose access to the free breakfasts and lunches they rely on during the school year. Our goal is to bridge that gap so families can keep everyone fed throughout the holidays. If you are in a position to give, please consider donating to Friends of Roxhill. 100% of your contribution goes directly to supporting families.
Together, we can show every Roxhill family that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Please consider making a donation today.
Five years after Atticus Caudle, then an eighth grader, started what’s become a family tradition – a drive-up/ride-up donation drive collecting food and coats, he flew home from college pre-dawn today to get here in time. The Caudles hope you can help fill the West Seattle Food Bank‘s van, in a season where WSFB says food need is up more than 60 percent (and need for coats/jackets is always strong):
Donors were arriving even as we stopped in to check in:
They’re in the parking lot behind Hope Lutheran, entry off westbound SW Oregon, either via 41st SW or the alley east of 42nd SW, until 3 pm. Just pull in and they’ll do the unloading!
Highland Park Elementary students won’t get an outdoor experience unless grant money is raised. Here’s the request we received to share with you:
Let’s Keep the Highland Park Elementary Overnight Camp Tradition Alive!
For decades, Highland Park Elementary 5th graders have spent an unforgettable week at Camp Sealth, building confidence, resilience, and connection with nature.
This year, state budget cuts canceled our Outdoor Learning Grant—and we need to raise $15,000 to make camp possible.
Highland Park is a wonderfully diverse West Seattle school — 71% of our students are from minority backgrounds, and about 60% are classified as economically disadvantaged. Many of our students have never had the chance to experience an overnight outdoor camp, and this program would provide an incredible opportunity for learning, teamwork, and connection with nature.
The crowdfunding link is here.
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