You can help! Lend a hand tomorrow @ White Center Food Bank
Want to feel a bit like Santa Claus? Help out tomorrow at the White Center Food Bank. Just in from Audrey Zemke:
The White Center Food Bank needs volunteer help Thursday, December 19 (additional time) 12:30 to 3:30 and 3:30 to 6:30 to hand out holiday food to clients. E=mail or call me to volunteer. Families welcome.
206-762-2848 or audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org.
West Seattle holiday giving: Donation dropoffs wrap up @ WestSide Baby
WestSide Baby is thanking everyone who’s donated this holiday season, now that pre-Christmas dropoff time is over. And it’s thanking volunteers, too! Here’s an update from WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland:
Christmas came early to WestSide Baby when the Westside School third grade class delivered handmade blankets Monday! (photo above) These are some of the last item donations of the year as we wind up our 2013 collections tomorrow.
To celebrate a year with record distributions, we honored our regular volunteers today at the newly opened Bridge Tavern.
Just this year, this group of amazing people as well as groups and one time drop ins have given more than 9500 hours of time, with 570 hours from just one amazing woman named Lissa! They keep us rolling and we are so appreciative. Join this team in 2014!
Our last distribution to families in need will go out on Thursday through our 80 social-service-agency partners marking a record number of children served this year as 400 orders head out the door this week.
We want to make sure people know our donation center and drop sites will be closed to item dropoffs starting tomorrow. We are amazed at the community generosity and we will definitely continue to need your gently used and new items as we start filling orders again on January 2. From now until that date, we ask donors to hold onto their amazing used items as we start the counting of every sock, diaper and pacifier in our operations center. Exceptions for those who held a drive and prearranged a delivery with us, like the third-grade class from Our Lady of Guadalupe that is coming on Thursday! (After they have already delivered 4 car loads of amazing donations.)
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate our community’s patience as well as your dedication to helping us serve local children. We will very gladly accept items you have after January 2, as we know the need for essentials will continue long past the holiday season.
In the meantime, cash gifts for your 2013 tax deductions are very much appreciated through our website or by mail to 10032 15th Ave SW, Seattle Wa 98146, and we have tables and tickets available for our 13th Annual Benefit Tea on February 9th! Click the graphic:
If you have items that can’t wait, check out the other giving opportunities in the WSB Holiday Guide.
You can help! White Center Food Bank needs time, turkeys, hams
It’s an even-more-frequent question than usual during the holiday season – “how can I help?” Here’s the latest answer: The White Center Food Bank, which also serves southern West Seattle, needs volunteers and donations. Specifically, according to WCFB’s Audrey Zemke, they need help passing out holiday food next Thursday (December 19th), 3:30-6:30 pm. If you can volunteer for that time – please contact Audrey, 206-762-2848 or audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org. Meantime, there’s one type of holiday food they especially need – turkeys and hams for larger households. You can take them to the WCFB at 10829 8th SW during its regular hours 8:30 am-5 pm Mondays-Fridays, or other times by arrangement.
You can help! Highland Park Neighbors’ Sunday invitation
Can you spare some time Sunday afternoon to give the gift of time? Craig Rankin shared the photo and the call for volunteers:
A small informal group called the Highland Park Neighbors have just received a Small Sparks grant for the “Kenyon St Right-Of Way Beautification Project.” The $1000 grant from the City of Seattle /Department of Neighborhoods will be used to purchase plants for the space, which has been an on-going restoration project for just under two years. The sloped area, which is used locally by students and bus riders willing to climb/descend the steep “social trail,” is partially planted and mostly mulched. Most of the grant will go toward purchasing native bare-root plant stock to be planted in the spring.
The first official work party will be this Sunday between 12 pm and 3 pm. There are 10 yards of mulch to move via 5 gallon buckets. If you would like to join the fun, please bring some gloves.
That’s John Gray, moving mulch, in the photo Craig shared. Here’s a map to the area.
West Seattle holidays: Local Girl Scouts’ gathering, giving
‘Tis the season to give. That’s what two local Girl Scout troops have done in recent days; their leaders shared this report and photos:
Sunday evening, we held our 4th Annual West Seattle Girl Scout Christmas Cookie Exchange. It was a wonderful success! 23 Junior Scouts (5th Graders from Troop #40890 and #40699) hosted 60 Brownie Scouts (2nd/3rd Graders) at this event.
The Scouts celebrated Christmas by singing songs, enjoying Christmas treats, and exchanging Christmas Cookies. The Junior Scouts mentored the younger Scouts in practicing several Girl Scout traditions.
While having all this fun, they also thought about our homeless neighbors in downtown Seattle who go to the UNION GOSPEL MISSION for food, shelter and supplies.
On Monday, we delivered 83 dozen cookies and 60 handmade Christmas cards to the Union Gospel Mission.
The Girl Scouts also donated a trunk-load of much needed toiletries which will be delivered to the Union Gospel Mission this week.
These Girl Scouts had a wonderful time celebrating together and spreading some Christmas cheer to our neighbors at the UNION GOSPEL MISSION.
Happy Holidays!
Rosina Geary, Troop Leader #40890
Deyette Swegle, Troop Leader #40699
Even if you’re not involved with organized giving like this, there are plenty of opportunities on the list that is part of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events/Info Guide – just scroll through (and keep checking back – we’re adding more daily)!
Not just for recreation: Seattle Parks facilities offer help to teens in crisis
Five of our area’s city-run community center, Teen Life Center, and pool facilities now have a new alter-ego: Safe Place for teens in crisis. This announcement from the city explains:
Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities are the first City of Seattle agencies to become part of the Safe Place network in King County. As of November 1, the start of Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month, 37 Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities, are a Safe Place where youth ages 12-17 can ask for help when in crisis. These facilities include Seattle Parks and Recreation’s 26 community centers, eight indoor pools and three teen life centers.
“We are excited to be part of the Safe Place program. This program is in line with our mission to provide safe, welcoming places for the public,” said Christopher Williams, Seattle Parks and Recreation Acting Superintendent. “Being a Safe Place expands our ability to help youth in our centers.”
Community center doors now bear the distinctive yellow decal that signals to young people that they can find help and safety inside. Facility staff have been trained in the protocol to follow when a young person asks for help: offer the young person a safe and quiet place to wait and rest, and call the Safe Place hotline to notify the Safe Place coordinator of the situation. Within 45 minutes, a Safe Place coordinator will arrive to assess the teen’s needs, helping them either return home or go to a youth shelter, as appropriate.
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West Seattle holidays: Not too late for pre-Thanksgiving giving!
Donating to your local food banks is a cool thing to do. Just ask Michelle, who shared that photo when she and her son (holding a turkey) bumped into former Mayor Greg Nickels and wife Sharon Nickels at the West Seattle Food Bank as they dropped off turkey donations over the weekend. It’s not too late for you to donate turkeys, too:
*West Seattle Food Bank, southeast corner of 35th/Morgan, until 3 pm today, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow/Wednesday
*White Center Food Bank (which also serves part of WS), southwest corner of 8th SW/SW 108th, open at 8:30 am daily through Wednesday (update on closing times: 5:30 tonight, 6 Tuesday, 7 Wednesday)
*While turkeys are not needed, a few other things are when The Hall at Fauntleroy opens its doors Thanksgiving Day for the 15th annual free community meal catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, whose Carol Madaio says, “We will gladly accept donations for desserts. This year we are also asking for donations of gently used/clean or new warm clothing such as coats, jackets, scarves, gloves and hats. We are also asking for blankets or throw blankets to be given to our guests in need of them. Desserts and items can be dropped off at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day after 10 am.” (They’re on the south end of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW.)
These are the only Thanksgiving-week-specific donation drives we know about – but if you have anything to add, please let us know ASAP! Other holiday-giving opportunities, from collection drives to fundraising events, are listed in our Holiday Guide.
You can help! Gatewood Elementary students hope you will join them in giving to typhoon survivors
Typhoon survivors in the Philippines have a long recovery ahead – and your help can make a big difference. Young West Seattleites are helping too, including students at Gatewood Elementary, whose message to us – which is a message to you, too – was shared (along with the photo) by teacher Darren Radu:
We are 4th and 5th grade students of Team Mt. Si at Gatewood Elementary. We know that a lot of people in West Seattle are already helping people displaced in the Philippines, and we wanted to do something to help too. We held a drive for first aid kits, personal hygiene products, and nonperishable food, and were able to deliver a couple hundred items to the Filipino Center of Seattle on Saturday.
When our teacher dropped off our items, the rep there said that they’re still in need of more donations in order to completely fill a shipping container before they can send it (there’s currently enough for about half the container). We’re hoping you can help us get the word out to West Seattle families who haven’t had a chance to contribute yet. There’s a link below for how to donate, and what kind of items will help.
Thank you!
Team Mt. Si
From the Filipino Community of Seattle:
Immediate need for personal hygiene products, nonperishable food items, and first-aid kits.
· Cash donations can be mailed or dropped off at the center: 5740 MLK Way, Seattle 98118
· At Wells Fargo – Account #5612975465 RTN#125008547
· Click here to donate online
· FCS will arrange for a 20’ container to ship collected relief goods
West Seattle weekend scenes: Bazaar at Seattle Lutheran; benefit at West Seattle Runner
As listed in our West Seattle Saturday highlights, it’s a day full of great start-of-the-holiday-season events, many of which offer the chance to do good – help nonprofits and small businessfolk, for starters. Bazaars are often excellent places for that – like the one under way until 4 pm at Seattle Lutheran High School‘s gym (4100 SW Genesee). Above, scarves on sale with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the SLHS student council. And $10 holiday pies!
Also happening right now – an extra-special reason to stop in and see Lori and Tim McConnell at West Seattle Runner (NW corner of California/Charlestown, upstairs; WSB sponsor):
Mega-fundraiser Tracy Dart is the beneficiary – here’s why. Stop in and do some early holiday shopping at WS Runner, from apparel to gear like Garmin wristband GPS – snacks, silent auction, and a raffle too, open until 7 pm tonight.
You can help! Join West Seattle Bike Connections’ cleanup
Another sunny day on the way. Here’s a potentially productive way to spend the first few hours of your Saturday: Join West Seattle Bike Connections‘ work party along the Alki Trail in the East Duwamish Waterway Fishing Pier vicinity, 9 am-noon. Bring gloves, a weeding tool, a trash bag or two, and help with “light landscape maintenance and trash pickup” near the planter boxes/planting areas at the pier as well as eastward along the fence of the T-25 truck-parking lot. More info here.
West Seattle Food Bank followup: One-third of the way to 500 turkeys
The West Seattle Food Bank team shared that photo from the Wednesday afternoon turkey-donation drive in The Junction (WSB coverage here) – that charitable West Seattle was their first of 51 turkey donors. More followup in this report from WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino:
Thanks all in our West Seattle community your help with our 1st Annual Turkey Drive last night at Easy Street Records; we so appreciate it! We were able to bring in 51 turkeys and over $1,200, which is equivalent to approx. 170 turkeys. If the community wasn’t able to stop by last night, they still have an opportunity to donate turkeys or funds by stopping by the West Seattle Food Bank at 3419 SW Morgan St. (corner of 35th & Morgan) on Friday from 9 am – 3 pm or Sat. from 2 – 5 pm or going to www.westseattlefoodbank.org and donating.
They hope to have 500 turkeys (small-ish is best, around 10 pounds) for next week’s holiday food distribution, so the drive put them a third of the way there.
Happening now: West Seattle Food Bank turkey drive @ Easy Street
Go make sure the West Seattle Food Bank team isn’t standing out in the cold for vain! They’re collecting small (10-pounds-ish) frozen turkeys until 7 pm outside Easy Street Records in The Junction, and you can even just hand yours out the window for curbside collection on the southbound side of California just north of Alaska:
If you walk up, or walk by, you can also buy a raffle ticket and/or donate money – $10 will be enough for the Food Bank to buy a turkey. Help make it a happier Thanksgiving for neighbors in need.
West Seattle has a Tool Library; how about a Toy Library?
When Katie sent a short note asking us to add to the calendar two meetings later this week to see if there’s community interest in forming a West Seattle Toy Library, we thought it sounded like news. So we asked for more details. She explained:
There are no other toy libraries in Seattle. They are very popular in the UK and Australia. The USA has a National Toy Library Association that affiliates with toy libraries in other major cities. They are not as popular in the US as they are in other countries around the world but I think that should change. The recent interest to be green and teach sustainable practices to our kids should extend to the realm where they live: toys.
I was tired of buying toys that my toddler would play with for 10 minutes and then toss aside. I want to teach her what it means to recycle in a meaningful way and I want her to learn to treat things with respect so it can be used in the future. I was looking for something that we could do as a family, and so I google searched toy libraries in Seattle. Much to my amazement and annoyance, there isn’t one. So. I guess we’ll have to start one. The tool library has been a major source of inspiration for me and I am looking for other families who want to jump on the bandwagon and get this thing going!
The meetings are 7-8 pm this Thursday (November 21st) and 3-4 pm this Saturday (November 23rd), both at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Come to one to talk about “what a toy library is, overview of function, & opportunities for participation.”
West Seattle Bowl benefits: Beer Church this Saturday, Seahawk Cliff Avril for United Way next month
Two notable benefits ahead at West Seattle Bowl:
15TH ANNUAL BEER CHURCH TURKEY BOWL: This Saturday night, the West Seattle-headquartered Beer Church hosts its annual fundraiser and food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. Checking the website, there might be a lane or two available, but even if there’s not, you are invited to come by, drop off a food donation, enter a fundraising raffle, and try “all three versions of this year’s Beer Church ale.” Read all about it here.
LIVE UNITED, BOWL UNITED PRESENTED BY TEAM AVRIL: Cliff Avril of the 10-1 Seattle Seahawks is hosting a fundraiser for United Way of King County on December 30th – and West Seattle Bowl expects other Hawks players to be there. $35/person, $175/lane (up to six people). Sign up fast if you’re interested!
Philippines typhoon relief: West Seattle rep for ShelterBox shows how you can help them help thousands of survivors
One of the organizations working right now with typhoon survivors in the Philippines is ShelterBox, which specializes in kits and portable equipment specially designed for rapid relief in disaster zones. West Seattleite Dave Nichols, who works as a response-team member for ShelterBox, visited Emeritus-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) to talk with residents about how the nonprofit organization is helping not only with typhoon relief but also with recovery from the big mid-October earthquake. He showed a few of the items that ShelterBox provides, from cooking utensils to building tools to a school-supply box that can get school going again for up to 50 kids.
The components of one ShelterBox cost about $1,000, according to Nichols, and the organization is accepting donations to help with its work. So far, according to this online ShelterBox update, they’ve brought personnel and supplies with the potential to help up to 4,000 families.
Shop today for West Seattle Food Bank turkey dropoff at Easy Street on Wednesday
Going grocery shopping in the next few days? You might not be ready to buy your Thanksgiving turkey yet, but it’s the perfect time to shop for one (or more) to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank – which has a special donation event coming up this Wednesday (November 20th) in The Junction. The announcement:
The West Seattle Food Bank is looking for 500 donated 10 lb. turkeys to help all of our clients in need have a delicious turkey on their table for Thanksgiving. It’s even more difficult now, with the recent SNAP (Food Stamp) cuts, for our clients to provide healthy meals for their families. Help us by bringing a frozen 10-pound turkey to Easy Street Records in the Junction, Wednesday, 11/20, 4-7 pm! No need to park – we’ll be outside, ready to grab your turkey, or donate cash and we’ll buy the turkey for you! PLEASE HELP US provide all of our clients with a happy Thanksgiving meal!
If you would rather give money than a turkey, WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino tells WSB that $10 is their approximate cost for a 10-pound turkey. They’re asking for that size because “we have a lot of single people and small families, and it’s easier for us to store.” (You can also donate $ online – just go here.)
Update: Cookies & cider for Philippines typhoon relief
From Alex in Gatewood, whose 8-year-old daughter, she explains, “wanted to do something to help the people in the Philippines”:
If you’re in West Seattle this afternoon (Sat Nov 16th, 1-3ish) please stop by the corner of California & Portland (up the hill, south of Morgan Junction). Enjoy fresh-baked, homemade cookies & warm spiced cider. Donations will go to the Red Cross for Philippines relief.
Our ongoing list of West Seattle ways to help with typhoon relief (including a concert/service tomorrow) is here.
ADDED 2:42 PM: Still time to go get cookies and cider. Photos shared by Alex:
3:51 PM UPDATE: Over, and successful! Alex’s update:
We raised $272.31 for Philippine relief efforts. This amount will be matched by me, and the full amount donated to the Red Cross ($544.62). Thank you to everyone who supported us today!
Helping typhoon victims: Chief Sealth relief-supply drive; Holy Rosary concert/service; what about something peninsula-wide?
With the death toll from Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda now estimated to be at least 3,600 people, and millions more left in need of help in its aftermath, we have word this morning of two benefits – please let us know of any others in West Seattle so we can make this an ongoing list. And read through to the end of the story for a question!
CHIEF SEALTH SUPPLY DRIVE THROUGH NEXT FRIDAY: Student Adriana Tabile e-mailed word of this drive that Chief Sealth International High School‘s Filipino Club has launched in partnership with Child United. Adriana writes, “These supplies will go directly to the provinces to help all the people who need them. Chief Sealth’s supply drive will end on November 22, 2013. Please help support! They need as much help as they can get.” They are collecting:
-over the counter medication
-toiletries
-towels/sheets/blankets
-tarp or plastic sheathing
-spring/summer clothing
-rubber soled shoes
-kids clothing/ stuffed animals
-nonperishable food
The school (at 2600 SW Thistle) has a designated dropoff spot – inquire at the office, or e-mail Adriana: adriana.tabile@yahoo.com.
HOLY ROSARY CONCERT/SERVICE THIS SUNDAY: The church says all are invited:
There will be a music and prayer service in the Church on Sunday night, November 17 at 7:30, led by The Byrd Ensemble, a Philippine American group which includes our Saturday night pianist, Edelmar Obenza. They will pray the rosary and will intersperse the mysteries with music and song. It promises to be a wonderful hour of prayer and song for a very deserving cause. Baskets will be available for a free-will offering. Come and offer your support–just drop in or stay a while.
Holy Rosary is at 42nd and Genesee.
WHAT ABOUT A WEST SEATTLE-WIDE BENEFIT? Two and a half years ago, we published Karla‘s call for thoughts on the concept of a West Seattle-wide fundraiser for the Japan earthquake. Many joined together for the very successful event that followed. She e-mailed this week wondering if the same approach might help the Philippines survivors. Thoughts?
(added) SOUND PHYSICAL THERAPY DONATING TO UNICEF: From Sound PT: “We have donation forms for UNICEF here at the front desk at Sound Physical Therapy. We’ll mail the forms off to UNICEF.” They’re at 3823 Delridge Way SW.
You can help! Followup cleanup on West Seattle bike trail Saturday
When Dave Winters from Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) put out a call for volunteers to help him clean up part of the bike trail just north of the West Seattle Bridge Saturday before last, he didn’t know a windstorm would hit that day. Nonetheless, as reported here, he and other volunteers picked up more than half a ton of trash and debris just the same. There’s still work to do – so Dave’s heading back out this Saturday (November 16) and hopes you will too. The official announcement:
The cleanup on November 2nd went so well that we will spend another two hours this Saturday to finish the job! Please join Dave Winters of Swedish Automotive for another impromptu cleanup under the West Seattle Bridge! The bike path from the bottom of Avalon Way near Luna Park Café heading east alongside and under the bridge toward downtown was greatly improved two weeks ago. The next section is still trashed with litter, styrofoam packing pellets, and other debris. It needs to be cleaned up! Dave will be there with the old yellow Swedish Automotive Van, garbage cans and bags from 9 to 11 am this Saturday, November 16th. His goal is to clean the area near the Chelan Café working back toward West Seattle and the area of the last cleanup.
If you find yourself with time and desire to help this Saturday, please stop by with gloves, rakes and brooms, and we’ll get it cleaned up! Look for the yellow Swedish Automotive van parked under the West Seattle Bridge just west (toward Avalon & Admiral) of the Chelan Café. Let’s clean up Seattle! Hope to see you there!
‘We’re here to act’: West Seattle Transportation Coalition plans its next moves, and calls for reinforcements
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
They’ve got their strategy rolling.
Now – the West Seattle Transportation Coalition is opening the door for more people to get on board to turn goals into reality.
WSTC – an all-volunteer, grass-roots group with members and endorsees from all over the peninsula – published this invitation to volunteers today, hours after its board meeting drew more than 30 people to Neighborhood House’s High Point Center last night.
The heart of the event was organizing committees around four key aspects of changing ideas into action: Outreach, Communications, Research/Solutions, and of course – Action.
For this group, launched less than two months ago, inaction is not an option.
“We’re here to act. We’re here to do things. We’re here to make changes!” declared Amanda Kay Helmick, WSTC interim board member (and leader of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council), as last night’s meeting began.
She stood in front of three maps – one, a vision for what transit should be in this area; one, the Metro outline of possible cuts as first announced last April; the other, what Metro unveiled last Thursday (WSB coverage here), for a stark post-cuts future if funding isn’t found.
“It’s not good,” she said – understatement of the night.
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You can help! Buy turkeys for White Center Food Bank
15 days until Thanksgiving Day, but you can do something now to help make it a more festive holiday for local families in need. The White Center Food Bank, whose service area includes part of West Seattle, would be thrilled if you can add at least one to-be-donated turkey to your shopping list:
The holidays are approaching quickly. To help us feed our clients we are asking for you to consider picking up a turkey while doing your shopping.
For us to purchase wholesale turkeys, it is over $1.00 a pound. Many local retailers are offering special deals on turkeys for much less. Look for deals while shopping and pick up a turkey or two and drop them off at the Food Bank Monday-Friday between 9 am-5 pm at 10829 8th Ave SW. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Here’s a map.
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