One of that student group’s members, Jane is a West Seattle teen who goes to school on Vashon Island, where she’s part of a club that’s reaching across the globe to assist other girls. They’re also reaching across Puget Sound to invite more West Seattleites to support their work, with an online presentation Tuesday night. Here’s their announcement:

Girls to Girls is a student-led club at Vashon Island High School that connects girls from our club community with another across the globe in Taita-Taveta, Kenya. Our sister club, PETRI, is based at Mercer Island High School, and together, we’re sponsored by SeaVuria, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide scholarships for girls in Kenya, enabling them to continue their education, as the Kenyan government does not fully fund schooling beyond grade 8. In the rural community of Taita-Taveta, where families earn just $3 a day, affording education for all children is challenging, and often, boys are prioritized.

Beyond scholarships, we have also provided computers and menstrual products to support these students in Taita-Taveta. Through our pen-pal program, we foster a special sisterhood with these innovative and resilient girls, creating meaningful connections across continents.

SeaVuria makes all of this possible through fundraising and donations. We organize bake sales, car washes, and are actively expanding our outreach in West Seattle. This November, we’re hosting our largest fundraiser of the year, and we’d love for you to join us!

Event Details:

Dates: November 19th at 7 PM PST
Location: Join us via THIS Zoom Link.

Please also check out our website, seavuria.org, to learn more.

WSB has always sought to give exposure to local nonprofits and their needs. This holiday season, we’re also planning to do that through a new campaign called West Seattle Giving Spirit. Nonprofits interested in participating are invited to apply, as there’s a limited number of dates and it’s first-come first-serve, Here’s what it’s all about:

West Seattle Giving Spirit
A year-end campaign focused on community strength and generosity.

Sponsored by the Learning Communities Foundation and WSB
November 20 – December 27, 2024

Calling all West Seattle and White Center nonprofits to participate in the first-ever coordinated year-end giving campaign with and for area nonprofits!

There are so many incredible nonprofits supporting the communities reached by WSB. West Seattle Giving Spirit will highlight the positive impact that organizations on (and adjacent to) the West Seattle peninsula have on our neighbors, the arts, the environment, and more. When the world finds itself in transition, this is one way to engage, give, and support locally.

From November 20 -December 27, WSB, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation, will provide up to sixteen West Seattle or White Center nonprofits a one-day Spotlight and “opportunity to ask” for donations of money and/or volunteer time. To be eligible, nonprofits must have locations or primary services provided within the following zip codes: 98116, 98136, 98126, 98106, 98146.

Interest forms will be reviewed as received and no later than Monday, November 18 at 4 pm.

Info Sheet for Interested Nonprofits (which includes the form links for nonprofits interested in participating)

If you’re not a nonprofit but want to support – watch for participant spotlights starting next week to find out how!

(WSB photo, September)

More than two dozen food and beverage purveyors participated in the West Seattle Food Bank‘s “Taste of West Seattle” fundraiser this year (WSB coverage here), and WSFB has announced the final official tally in its latest newsletter: $45,770. The WSFB says that’s badly needed because, this year alone, they’re projecting having to spend a tota of “nearly a staggering $1 million dedicated solely to food purchases” and “another $1 million in rent and utility assistance.” As they point out, they’re “more than just a food bank.” You can donate money, clothing, and/or food to help the people with whom they work.

P.S. WSFB has also announced a new name for its annual spring gala – next year it will be “Nourish & Flourish,” and will move to 4105, the Industrial District venue that’s part of the portfolio of West Seattle-rooted DSquared Hospitality; set your calendar for May 3, 2025.

Local salon owner Karie Koltz (above right) and stylist friend Linda Turner (above left) are embarking on a trip to Cambodia to volunteer with Justice and Soul, whose founder Matthew Fairfax is also a West Seattleite. Karie explains, “The foundation provides cosmetology education to at-risk youth and sex-trafficked young men and women. We are going for 4-5 weeks to volunteer our services and teach workshops for the graduates.” The trip is explained here; they’re crowdfunding to help cover the cost and welcoming donations – go here to chip in.

For the next two weeks, a community donation drive is planned at West Seattle High School to support students in need. Here’s what they’re hoping you can donate:

Help Support Food-Insecure Students at West Seattle High School!

Join us in making a difference for our community! From October 28th to November 8th, we’re hosting a donation drive to benefit the care center at West Seattle High School, which provides essential support for food-insecure students and their families.

In-School Drop-Off: Donations can be dropped off between 9 AM and 4 PM at bins located outside the ASB Store (Room 131).

After-Hours Drop-Off: We’ll also accept donations on Wednesday, October 30th from 4-5 PM outside the Historical Entrance, as well as at the WSHS Home Volleyball Game on October 31st at 7 PM.

Most Needed Items:

Food: Canned goods (tuna, chicken, vegetables, fruits, beans, soups), rice, pasta, tomato sauce, shelf-stable milk, oatmeal/cereal, and non-perishable Thanksgiving foods.

Hygiene Products

Clothing: Men’s sizes needed, including winter coats, windbreakers, socks, hoodies, and pants.

Your contributions can make a significant impact in the lives of our students. Thank you for your generosity!

West Seattle High School is at 3000 California SW.

Tickets are still available for tomorrow night’s Bring It Home dinner/auction to benefit the White Center Food Bank, which also serves part of West Seattle – here’s the reminder:

Join us for this year’s fall event, the Bring It Home Dinner and Auction on Friday, October 18th at the Sea Mar Community Center! Come together with the White Center Food Bank community for dinner & drinks, live music, and a “fireside chat”. We will also share a short video presentation showcasing our wonderful new facility and the people who make up this amazing organization.

We have raised roughly 75% of our $8.6 million goal and this event will gather community members, donors, customers, staff, board members and volunteers to raise awareness and financial support to complete our Capital Campaign. So far White Center Food Bank has received widespread support from Washington State, King County, many foundations, businesses, private donors and others. Our goal is to raise $1,000,000 more in private funds, through this event and additional donor engagement. With the completion of this campaign, we can return 100% of our focus to raising funds to keep the community fed. Together, we can Bring It Home!

The fireside chat will include local Senator Joe Nguyen, Executive Director Carmen Smith, Board Chair Gabbi Gonzales and experienced volunteer, Ashley Northup who will illustrate the importance of our new facility to the community and our organization. The event will be MC’d by the inspiring White Center community king and food bank partner, Kimnang Seng. Delightful music from the virtuoso pianist Marina Albero and her quartet will create a celebratory ambiance for this special event. Each ticket includes dinner provided El Catrín, dessert by Patrick’s Cafe and Bakery, plus a drink ticket.

Date: Friday, October 18
Time: 6 pm-9 pm
Event Location: 9635 Des Moines Memorial Dr S.

“We’ve accomplished so much together as a community in the last two years since launching our capital campaign: started & completed construction on our new site; moved into our new site and started distribution; and raised 75% of our capital campaign goal. Now that our project is nearly complete, it is time to bring our capital campaign home and move onto the next chapter of supporting our neighbors beyond food resources.” – Carmen Smith, WCFB Executive Director.

Tickets are available here.

(Chili flight from 2022 West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival cookoff)

The weather may not yet be chilly … but the food forecast is chili. Three upcoming events in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar feature fundraising chili cookoffs, so we’re spotlighting them in case you haven’t yet heard.

FAUNTLEROY CHURCH/Y CENTENNIAL CHILI COOKOFF: The first one is coming up this Wednesday (October 16, 6:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church‘s fellowship hall (9140 California SW), part of the centennial celebration. Organizers say, “We will be donating all proceeds from this Chili Fest Cookoff to a shared campaign to eliminate medical debt for families in need in the Seattle area.” $15/person, kids under 10 free. If you’re a chili cook, you can even register to compete. RSVP – whether you’re a prospective chili consumer or cook – by going here.

WESTSIDE INTERFAITH NETWORK: Next Saturday (October 19) at 6:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW), this coalition of faith communities is raising money for its social work via its first-ever chili cookoff. Tickets for this one are also $15, and you get chili, cornbread, and salad, plus additional donation/purchase opportunities to support WIN’s projects such as the weekly Welcome Table for people in need. Buy your ticket(s) here.

JUNCTION HARVEST FESTIVAL: West Seattle’s premier chili cookoff is back this year during the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival, starting at 11 am Sunday, October 27. Restaurants and other pro food purveyors compete to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank; you buy a flight of chili (while they last) in the festival zone at California/Alaska, and vote for your fave. (No advance ticketing for this one.) We’ll be checking in with the WSFB soon to see who’s competing this year (and to see what the pricing will be)!