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West Seattle freebie of the day: Heads, free to a good home
January 11, 2011 1:51 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

Longtime WSB sponsor Illusions Hair Design is trying to get someone to take these mannequin heads off their hands. We saw their tweet from a few days ago – “We don’t want these to end up in a landfill!” – and asked if they’d mind us mentioning it here; they said, mention away! Call 206-938-3675 if you want one or more. (Same number to book “Have a Heart Day” appointments – Feb. 13th haircuts benefiting charity – BTW.)

3:37 PM NOTE: In case you haven’t seen this in the comments, Illusions tweeted that the heads have all been spoken for. “Recycling” at its best!

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Nomination time for West Seattle Chamber of Commerce awards
January 6, 2011 2:02 pm
|    Comments Off on Nomination time for West Seattle Chamber of Commerce awards
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

One of our proudest moments in 2010 was on the April day that WSB was honored as West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. Now it’s time to nominate your favorite business for the honor – as well as nominating potential recipients for individual honors (at left is last year’s Westsider of the Year, Chief Sealth International High School‘s Colin Slingsby). There’s also a fourth category this year, Emerging Business of the Year. Here’s the announcement, sent by Shannon Felix (whose Avalon Glassworks also is a past WSCC Business of the Year):

Who really sparkled in 2010? Honor those in our community who make West Seattle a great place to live and work by nominating a business or individual for the annual Westside Awards!

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce sponsors this annual program to celebrate West Seattle’s entrepreneurial spirit and personal commitment to the Westside.

Award information and nomination forms are now available online at
www.WSChamber.com web site or at this link. You may e-mail nominations with your name and phone number to: pmullen@wschamber.com or via fax: 206-938-7437.

Four categories of awards will be presented:

Westside Business of the Year

Westside Emerging Business of the Year

Westside Not-For-Profit of the Year

Westsider of the Year

Nominations are open to any West Seattle business or individual and due by
January 31, 2011 at 5pm to The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Award recipients will be honored at the Westside Awards Breakfast at Salty’s on Alki on April 6, 2011. For more information, contact the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, 206-932-5685.

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West Seattle holiday postscript: Lights donation total; pics request
January 5, 2011 11:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB video from the light show’s opening night on November 27th)
The traditional 12 Days of Christmas are almost over. And here’s one last bit of holiday news. Jim Winder from the Helmstetler Family Spectacular light show by the Charlestown water tower – westseattlelights.com – has sent an update on this year’s fundraising, and a request before the holidays get too far in your rear-view mirror. First, the update:

The fantastic people of our West Seattle Community (and beyond) gave the following:

West Seattle Food Bank: $431.00 and 1066 lbs of Food
Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation – $381.00
Pushing Boundaries – $391.00
Brian Teachout – $500.00

And now, Jim’s request – he’s looking for video and photos you might be able to share, as part of something he’s putting together for next year:

I would like to gather up two things:

1) Pictures/videos of dads playing Santa Claus … of course the funnier the better!!

2) Pictures/videos of kids getting their pictures taken sitting on Santa’s lap…would even love some black and white pics from yesteryear…

They can send them to me at pics@westseattlelights.com.

And Jim promises he’ll have video from this year’s spectacular show up soon. Things just got busy.

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Special Olympics Polar Plunge returning to Alki on January 29
January 5, 2011 11:45 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB video from 1/24/2010 Polar Plunge @ Alki)
Miss last Saturday’s Polar Bear Swim at Alki? Or, liked it so much you’re looking for another excuse to rush into the chilly water of Elliott Bay sometime soon? Good news today – on Saturday, January 29th, Special Olympics of Washington is bringing its Polar Plunge to Alki Beach for the second consecutive year. Last year, more than 350 joined in – triple the participation of the previous non-West Seattle location. WSB is proud to co-sponsor the law-enforcement-organized fundraising event again this year. Here’s where to find information about participating!

ADDED 1:35 PM: You might recall that Chief Sealth International High School‘s group won the “Spirit Award” at last year’s Polar Plunge (photos in our 2nd report from last year). They’re planning to participate this year, and hoping to almost (at least) triple that number. They hope to collectively raise at least $5,000 – you can make a pledge/donation by going here (or if you want to be part of their group, they’re taking signups here).

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Won’t you be … a donor? Mister Rogers Sweater Drive @ PCC
January 5, 2011 5:15 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(YouTube clip with the opening sequence from a “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” episode)
In honor of the TV legend who always started his show by trading a suit jacket for a comfy sweater, the Mister Rogers Sweater Drive is about to begin at all nine PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) stores, including West Seattle (2749 California SW). Starting next Monday, you’ll be able to donate sweaters at PCC to benefit Wellspring Family Services and Northwest Center. They need kids’ sweaters the most – new or “gently used” – but will accept adult-size sweaters too. The drive, a legacy of Mister Rogers himself (who started it six years before his 2003 death), continues through February 13th and is co-sponsored by KCTS 9; PCC’s full announcement is here.

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Lafayette ‘Play It Forward’ playground project now in Pepsi Refresh
January 4, 2011 10:15 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With less than one month left to reach its latest fundraising goal – required for a city matching grant – the playground-improvement project at West Seattle’s most populous elementary school is in a new phase: Lafayette Elementary has made it into the latest monthly Pepsi Refresh grant competition. In order to have a chance at one of this month’s $50,000 grants, they need a lot of votes between now and January 31st, and you can vote daily. There are two ways to vote: Online, by going here (which requires registration), or texting, which doesn’t: Text 105273 to Pepsi (73774).

For background on the project – here’s our story from November about the push to match the $100,000 city grant by the end of this month, or lose it. We checked in this morning with Deborah Hazlegrove, one of the project co-chairs, who says the fundraising total is getting close to the goal, but it’s still coming down to the January 31st wire. The project’s “Play It Forward” website has more information about other ways they’re raising money, including a current anonymous offer to match all cash up to $5,000 donated between now and January 15th.

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West Seattle food growing: Orchard launch; online trading
January 3, 2011 11:47 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle food growing: Orchard launch; online trading
 |   Environment | Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo of orchard-to-be site at SSCC, courtesy Aviva Furman)
From Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle‘s Aviva Furman, two announcements tonight: First, she confirms the deal is finally official for creating the Community Orchard of West Seattle on the south end of the South Seattle Community College campus, and COWS needs your help at a work party to really launch the effort:

Come be a part of an exciting new urban agriculture project here in West Seattle: The *Community Orchard*! With a generous grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and the contract with South Seattle Community College finalized, we are ready to begin.

The orchard will be a demonstration site for growing fruit sustainably in our climate. COWS will hold the 1st design session and work-party on Saturday, January 15th. We will be learning from permaculturist, Laura Sweany, about the elements of site analysis. In the afternoon, we will be sheet mulching the garden beds and creating wood chip paths. Come see how quickly a site can be transformed! Future classes in February will focus on plant selection.

January 15th
10-12:15 Design Workshop (FREE)
12:15-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:30 Sheet Mulch Work Party
Please RSVP [here’s the link]. All are welcome to the afternoon session, but space in the morning session is limited.

Second announcement – imagine being able to trade produce with neighbors/friends/community members so you’re not, oh, say, eating zucchini cookies, zucchini soup, stuffed zucchini, etc., all summer. Aviva says an online system is on the drawing boards and they’d like your input:

*Got kale…want carrots…*

While plants are dormant in these short days of winter, Community Harvest is busy germinating ideas. Have you ever had a bumper crop of zucchini? Lettuce bolting faster than you can eat it? Maybe you are one of those lucky ones with an Italian Plum tree in your yard. We are planning an online system for people to trade or sell their surplus produce with their neighbors, as well as a simple way to donate to food banks. We need your input. If you are a food gardener, or someone who enjoys eating locally grown produce, please take a few minutes and fill out this survey. Help shape Veg-eBay. Create a P-Pod in your neighborhood.

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Looking back at 2010, West Seattle Food Bank says ‘thank you’
December 30, 2010 2:38 pm
|    Comments Off on Looking back at 2010, West Seattle Food Bank says ‘thank you’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

If we had time, we could create a collage with probably 100 photos this year of people helping the West Seattle Food Bank – from students to seniors to steelworkers, big donation drives and little ones. But just imagine it all as you read the message WS Food Bank executive director Fran Yeatts just asked us to share:

From all of us at the West Seattle Food Bank, we would like to offer a very sincere and heartfelt thank you to all who have helped us in our work to end hunger in this community. The demand for our services has been increasing and we are grateful that many neighbors in West Seattle have been there to help. Your support makes a big difference for many families, so especially on behalf of all the West Seattle Food Bank’s clients, thank you.

And of course you can help them out right now or any time – by going here.

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Another way to help Family Promise: Donate at ‘Amahl’
December 29, 2010 12:14 pm
|    Comments Off on Another way to help Family Promise: Donate at ‘Amahl’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
On Christmas Day, we published an update on Family Promise of Seattle, the West Seattle-based nonprofit that still needs to raise about $40,000 before it can start housing homeless families again – a service no one else in this area provides. Today, Family Promise board member Laura Bermes sends word they’re partnering with Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) during the upcoming “Amahl and the Night Visitors“:

Twelfth Night Productions, West Seattle’s own community theater, is partnering up with Family Promise of Seattle this holiday season to change the lives of homeless children and their families. West Seattleites are familiar with Twelfth Night’s productions and reputation of putting on quality theatrical productions, giving opportunity for local community members to shine on stage. But, did you know that the production company regularly partners up with local non-profits and community groups to make a difference right here in West Seattle?

This year, Twelfth Night will once again bring the holiday opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” to the stage. Amahl is a touching story about a poor young shepherd and his mother who receive a visit from the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. This fully scored orchestrated production is a perfect way to cap off your holiday celebrations, and is appropriate for patrons of all ages! And while you attend the show, volunteers from Family Promise of Seattle will be in attendance talking about the shelter, selling baked goods, and taking donations.

Amahl and the Night Visitors will be playing at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
(4408 Delridge Way SW) Jan 7th and 8th at 7:30 pm and Jan 8th & 9th at 3 pm. Tickets
can be purchased online or by calling 206-937-1394. More information about Family Promise of Seattle can be found at www.familypromiseofseattle.org.
Tis the Season… come and top off your holiday with this beautiful show, and step up to help West Seattle’s only homeless shelter for families open its doors once again!

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Followup: Family Promise of Seattle approaches decision date
December 25, 2010 11:29 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

In these final moments of a holiday whose backstory stars a family seeking shelter, a West Seattle-based organization continues to work toward its dream of once again helping families find shelter.

Family Promise of Seattle has not yet reached its $90,000 goal – but that’s all they need to resume helping homeless families stay together, safe, and warm.

It’s been four months since Family Promise of Seattle put its sheltering operation on hold, as first reported here. The organization’s leaders decided they would reopen as soon as they raised $90,000 to fund adequate staff and resources for the intensive job of offering newly homeless families not just shelter, but also assistance in finding employment.

We sat in on Family Promise’s most recent fundraising committee and board meetings, back to back on a rainy night earlier this month. They had progress to celebrate, but a ways to go to the goal – and in less than a month, the board says it will decide whether to soldier on, or call it quits.

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Helping the Teachout family: Light-show donations
December 20, 2010 2:18 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

More help for the family of Brian Teachout: The day after 30 ornaments made by West Seattle glass artist Brad Burzynski sold out in less than an hour for almost $1,100 in donations, results are in from the weekend’s other donation drive. Here’s the report from Jim Winder from the Helmstetler Family Spectacular music-synched-lights show (our clip above is what we shot on “opening night” Nov. 27; Jim’s videos for this year aren’t up yet):

This weekend the attendance at the light show was just AMZING!! I apologize for those stuck in the traffic jams!! lol

And those who came to watch were also even MORE amazing with their generosity for the Teachout family…donating $462!!So I will be dropping off $500 in cash to the Wells Fargo Bank in the next few days.

Thanks again to the great folks of West Seattle that make this one of the best communities in the Seattle area!!!

Jim e-mailed shortly afterward with a postscript:

And I wanted to thank Brad Burzynski … he stopped by and watched the lights and presented the Helmstetlers with one of his glass ornaments for helping out the Teachouts…

Donations for the Teachout Family Fund are still being accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank. (P.S. The schedule for the Helmstetler/Winder lights, at 3908 SW Charlestown across from the water tower, is on their website at westseattlelights.com.)

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Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association makes its case for your support
December 20, 2010 4:05 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It’s the name behind some of the biggest nonprofit projects in West Seattle in the past decade:

*Transforming historic Cooper Elementary School into Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.

*Creating the only mixed-use building to house a Seattle Public Library branch.

*Co-developing the new home of the West Seattle Food Bank and other nonprofits adjacent to the residential units of One Community Commons.

Yet for all those high-profile projects, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association executive director Derek Birnie admits DNDA may have a little bit of a community disconnect:

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Helping the Teachout family: Ornaments go fast, $1,085 raised
December 19, 2010 11:12 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

At the West Seattle Farmers’ Market within the past hour, Tammy Teachout, widow of Brian Teachout – who died at 46 after surgery for an injury suffered while hanging Christmas lights – was moved to tears. She stood by and watched as local glass artist Brad Burzynski and his family sold newly created blown-glass ornaments to raise money to help her family. The Burzynskis started selling the ornaments at 10 am; within 10 minutes, 23 of the 30 ornaments were already taken, some for far far more than the $20 donation requested, and they were all gone in less than an hour. During a break in the rush, Brad stepped back for a quick pose, with daughter:

Tammy Teachout told us her husband’s memorial on Friday was standing room only; also, she went last night to see the Helmstetler Family Spectacular Christmas lights at 3908 SW Charlestown, which is giving all donations from the past two nights and tonight to her family. If you didn’t get an ornament and can’t see the lights but still want to help her and their three children, there’s information in our original story.

ADDED 12:06 PM: Brad sent word of the final tally:

Thanks to the wonderful people of West Seattle (and Poulsbo) for raising $1085 for the Teachout family! Amazing and heartwarming!

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Holiday helpers: Seattle Lutheran students’ ‘Month of Giving’
December 17, 2010 1:21 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday helpers: Seattle Lutheran students’ ‘Month of Giving’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We mentioned earlier that local students are out early today. In at least one case, one school in West Seattle had no classes at all – Seattle Lutheran High School, whose students are out volunteering. The photos are courtesy Bil Hood, who explains:

The Saints are hitting the streets today for the culmination of the Seattle Lutheran Month of Giving.

The month started with a week-long food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. That was followed by a week of change-giving to buy gifts for kids who would otherwise not get any. This week, toys and clothes were collected for the Salvation Army. At tonight’s 3-on-3 Charity Basketball game, the students at Seattle Lutheran should reach $5,000 and 1000 hours in giving this month.

Today, staff and students have fanned out across the community to use their last day before Christmas break to give. Saints can be seen this Giving Day cleaning at Alki and traffic circles in the neighborhood.

Students are knitting scarves and hats for donations. Groups are making cards and hand-crafted gifts for shut-ins. They are also helping at other local schools and community centers who have needs. It is our way to say thank you for your many years of support, and have a blessed Christmas, West Seattle.

This last photo shows the blessing of handmade scarves headed for a women’s shelter:

We have giving opportunities listed on the West Seattle Holidays page, if you’re still looking for someplace or someone to help.

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Holiday help: White Center Food Bank needs you
December 17, 2010 12:58 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday help: White Center Food Bank needs you
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

One of the two food banks that serves West Seattle, the White Center Food Bank, just put out the call for volunteer help. Can you pitch in? From volunteer coordinator Audrey Zemke:

The White Center Food Bank needs help this coming week handing out food to clients. The most urgently needed shift is 3:30 to 6:30 pm Monday, December 20. In addition we could use help Wednesday, December 22 from 12:30 to 3:30. Please contact me by e-mail (audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org) to sign up.

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Helping Brian Teachout’s family: 2 West Seattle benefits
December 16, 2010 11:02 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Friday, Brian Teachout will be remembered at a service in West Seattle, just one week after his untimely death following an accident while putting up Christmas lights. Since our original story, which includes word of a fund to which you can contribute to help his wife and children, we have received word of two fundraisers: First, donations made at the Helmstetler Family Spectacular Christmas-lights show this Friday, Saturday and Sunday will go to the Teachout family, according to lights mastermind Jim Winder. Find out more about that here. And local glass artist Brad Burzynski is making ornaments to sell this Sunday, with all proceeds to the Teachout family – here are the details on what’s in the works:

Although he’s never met Brian or his family, a local glassblower has been so touched by their situation he’d like to do something nice to show his support. Tonight he’ll create 25 Christmas ornaments in honor of Brian. On Sunday, at the West Seattle Farmers Market, these ornaments will be available for the very reasonable price of $20 each. [photo from Uptown Glassworks glassblowing session added 12:18 am Friday]


100% of the proceeds from these ornaments will be given to the family on behalf of the people of West Seattle. Get there early because once they are gone, they’re gone. The ornaments will be boxed and come with a label indicating they were hand blown and the proceeds will be given to the family. What a great way to help a West Seattle neighbor and get a meaningful gift for someone you love. Be a part of one of the little things that makes West Seattle such a special place.

The Farmers’ Market is 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska; we’ll update Sunday morning (here, Twitter, Facebook) with word on where exactly you can find him around the perimeter. Brian Teachout’s service is at noon tomorrow (Friday) at The Hall at Fauntleroy. And in addition to the fundraising efforts mentioned above, you can donate to the Teachout Family Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank branch.

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West Seattle shooting survivors: Thanks – and what they still need
December 16, 2010 2:09 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Her name is Nevaeh – “Heaven spelled backward” – and though she’s been through hell, she is one of the smiliest 7-year-olds you’ll ever meet. We met Nevaeh Harm earlier this week at Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ headquarters in North Delridge earlier this week, a place where she and her mom Thyda Phan spend a lot of time. They are among the survivors of the September shootings in West Seattle in which Thyda’s mother shot and killed three Phan/Harm family members – Thyda’s husband and two teenage daughters – and herself. Thyda is the only one to have survived gunshot wounds; Nevaeh was shot at, as was her older brother Kevin, but they managed to escape with no physical injuries. Cara Kroenke at SWYFS has been helping the survivors find new places to live, and new belongings to replace what they lost in the destructive rampage – or never had at all. In our photo, Nevaeh was trying on a helmet to use with one of the bicycles donated to SWYFS by Nucor (here’s our story on that). Cara was awaiting results of an inspection for the White Center rental house found for the family, near Nevaeh’s elementary school. And for those who have asked for an update on what they still need from this list we published a week and a half ago, Cara talked with us – that info’s after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle See Dogs invites you to share “gift that keeps giving”
December 16, 2010 12:29 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

The photos are from Ruth Oldham of West Seattle See Dogs, who was in Tacoma for a special regional delivery in the middle of the Sunday rainstorm. Her group is hoping for new members to help them turn puppies like these into guide dogs – “a gift that keeps giving,” as she explains:

Bundles of yellow, black, and golden fur, sweet puppy breath, and wiggly joy were delivered into the arms of twelve puppy raisers from across Washington State in the midst of (Sunday) morning’s deluge.

The puppies, bred at our San Rafael, California campus were between the ages of 8 and 10 weeks old and traveled on the puppy truck which was converted to a special sleigh for Santa Paws and his helper’s deliveries!

The puppies will stay with their families for about a year and then return to be off to puppy college to become guide dogs and future “soulmates” with a visually impaired partner. This is a story about a gift that keeps giving long after the season is over!

Do you have love and time to share with a puppy? Call Ruth Oldham with the West Seattle See Dogs at 206-953-0268 or 1-800-295-4050 for information on how you can raise a Guide Dog Puppy in your area. More info at www.guidedogs.com; become a friend of the West Seattle See Dogs on Facebook to learn about events and meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, December 20th, 6:30 pm, at
Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights.

Merrill Gardens-AH (WSB sponsor) is at 2326 California SW.

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Kitty Harbor’s final weekend till next summer
December 16, 2010 5:31 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

At right, that’s just one of the kittens awaiting new homes at West Seattle’s nonprofit cat-only shelter Kitty Harbor – and any Kitty Harbor kitties who don’t get those new homes this weekend will be going into foster care until June. That’s according to Kitty Harbor volunteer Anna, who says the shelter is open 1 pm-6 pm this Saturday and Sunday, and those will be its last days till next summer. Kitty Harbor is at 3422 Harbor Avenue SW, just north of the West Seattle Bridge. You’ll find tons more photos and info on the Kitty Harbor website.

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Update: Junction Hometown Holidays Santa’s fundraising success
December 15, 2010 11:32 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(Santa photo by Donna Ryan Photography)
Two more Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) events ahead in The Junction this week – another Shop Late Thursday tomorrow, then the third and final round of professional Santa photos and mule-drawn carriage rides 11 am-3 pm on Sunday. The Santa photos by Donna Ryan Photography raise money for local nonprofits, and West Seattle Junction Association‘s Susan Melrose just sent an update:

The Junction’s Santa Photo/Fundraising is going great. This is the Junction Association’s 6th year hosting Santa photos and a greater success is being achieved every year. In our 3rd year working with Donna Ryan Photography, we are not only delivering beautiful photos to West Seattle families, but also raising funds for community members in need. The first weekend raised more than $800 for WestSide Baby, last weekend raised more than $1,000 for the West Seattle Helpline, and this Sunday we’ll be raising funds for the West Seattle Food Bank. Thank you, West Seattle families, for participating in this holiday tradition.

And while you’re in The Junction for Shop Late Thursday, shopping any time (our 21 Holiday Shopping Guide sponsors include 11 Junction stores), or Hometown Holidays Sunday, get in on the $4,600 raffle, too.

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Holiday help for West Seattle Food Bank, from Nucor, local families
December 14, 2010 7:49 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Two special holiday donation visits to the West Seattle Food Bank today. First, the annual Nucor Steel tradition – the company and its employees donated more than $17,000 cash and more than 2,400 pounds of food, some of which you see being unloaded above. The Administrative Department won the internal competition to see which department could gather the most donated food, we’re told. Here’s the team from Nucor:

From left, Bart Kale, Winky Lai, Trish Sweat, Larry Dalke, and Don Wood. Bart is the safety/environmental manager and told us this year’s donation means more than ever because times are tough for donors, too, and they had to dig a lot to make such a generous gift. (Earlier today, we reported on another major Nucor donation, for Southwest Youth and Family Services.) Here’s part of the WS Food Bank team:

From left, that’s Mike, Fran, John, Eve, and Jack. A few hours earlier, a different type of donations arrived – more than 50 special bags for toddlers, made from items donated by local families who have toddlers or preschoolers themselves and are involved with groups such as co-operative preschools, PEPS, and West Seattle Teeter Tots.

We heard about this from Jennifer Hedge, who came up with the idea last year, and is in the photo above with Food Bank operations assistant Mike Tinker. She explains that the bags are meant to be given along with regular monthly Toddler Food Bags that are part of the Toddler Feeding Program, and that they contain useful items not covered by that program, as well as some “treats”:

The Toddler Feeding Program provides a little something extra for toddler-age kids whose families use six local Food Banks including West Seattle – graham crackers, Cheerios, juice, peanut butter, fruit, veggies. The “toddler bags” were assembled with a checklist including hats, toothbrushes, toothpaste, a small toy, small book, stickers, goldfish crackers, and more. We asked Jennifer if they needed anything more – she said no, but she would love to see other community groups get involved in this – maybe for their own age, seniors making Senior Bags, etc. We asked Food Bank director Fran the same thing; she said they’re OK for this season, but the most important thing to remember is, please donate at other times of the year too. (Here’s how to give money online.)

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Memorial, fund for West Seattle man who died after Christmas-lights accident
December 14, 2010 12:46 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Family and friends are mourning West Seattle business owner Brian Teachout, who died last Friday, after surgery for an injury suffered while putting up Christmas lights. They also have set up a fund to help his wife – laid off by the former Washington Mutual – and children. Here’s the story, and a photo, shared by family friend Candace:

Just over a week ago, Brian Teachout, owner of Alki Home and Garden, was doing what he loved to do during the holidays… helping clients hang Christmas lights. Unfortunately, while in the process of hanging lights, the ladder Brian was using slipped out from under him. He fell, shattering his left shoulder. Surgery was scheduled and took place Wednesday, December 8th. Two days after going through reconstructive shoulder surgery, and while recovering at home, Brian suddenly died.

Brian was just 46 years old. He and his wife Tammy were blessed with a son, Owen. Then a few years ago they opened their hearts and home, and made room in their lives to adopt a niece, McKenna, and nephew, Levi, after the children’s mother died unexpectedly.

When the three children came home from school last Friday, just two weeks before Christmas, their mother and family had to give them the hard news of their father’s passing. This would be a tragedy at any time of the year, but with the holidays and three children excited about Christmas, it presented a severe challenge to Tammy, as she recently lost her job at Washington Mutual after 20 years, and with it a significant change in her health insurance.

Brian had a heart of gold and devoted his time to his wife, three children, family and many friends. He was a longtime West Seattle resident and delightful character; you might have crossed paths with Brian. Dependable and delightful, for many years he was always there to help so many West Seattle residents maintain our homes, yards and put up our lights. Brian loved to be in the garden … and we will all miss seeing him in it!

It is a tough economy and we are all facing tighter budgets this holiday season. However, if you are looking for a family to assist in some way .. or if you are part of an organization that can help … please keep Tammy and the Teachout children in mind.

Individual donations can be made to the ‘Brian Teachout Memorial Fund’ established to benefit his children – deposits can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank branch.

For organizations or individuals who wish to make a tax-deductible donation in excess of $500, the 501(c)3) Sharing Foundation has generously offered to manage your contributions. For details on donating to the Teachout Family Fund through the Sharing Foundation, please contact Andy at 206-679-8909.

A memorial service will be held Friday 12/17/10 at Noon at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave SW in West Seattle. A gathering and refreshments will follow.

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Holiday helpers: Nucor, WSUU donations for SW Youth & Family Services
December 14, 2010 9:49 am
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Tricia and Bill from West Seattle’s Nucor might not have had white beards and red/white suits, but they were definitely doing Santa’s work at Southwest Youth and Family Services on Monday afternoon. They brought the first of two groups of donated bicycles to SWYFS — boys’ bikes on Monday, girls’ bikes coming today – and there was a big stack of Nucor-donated coats at the agency too. (Nucor also is presenting a big donation to the West Seattle Food Bank this afternoon.) They explained the donation drive:

Every month employees do a set number of Safety Observations – one employee observes another doing a task and then has a discussion on what the employee did that was safe and points out anything that was done that could potentially put themselves at risk. Nucor challenged its employees – watch out for each other more frequently and Nucor will make a donation to a local charity in efforts to make a child’s holiday a little brighter. For every 5 extra observations a brand new coat would be donated, and for every 15 extra observations a brand new bike would be donated.

The employees of Nucor Seattle responded to the challenge and did 660 safety observations; 286 of which were extra. 21 Torker Bicycles & Pryme Gear Helmets were purchased from local manufacturer – Redline Bicycles in Kent (locally sold at Alki Bike & Board in W Seattle). 57 Warm Coats were purchased and distributed to 3 local charities. The Southwest Youth & Family Services (SYFS) will receive 19 bikes and 45 coats to fulfill the wish list items of 64 W Seattle children. Nucor was able to sponsor a family from the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association (DNDA) and donate coats and bikes to the family. All other coats were donated to the W Seattle Clothesline who will host 6 coat giveaways in conjunction with the Food Bank. Nucor Seattle would like to thank its employees for making the W
Seattle community a little brighter this holiday season.

And while we were at SWYFS, we met Kristina Surface from Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, who said she’d rather be referred to as an “elf.” She’s the church’s liaison with SWYFS for donations like the ones just made by the church’s youth group:

(Pictured: WSUU adult advisor Lorelei Amato, Hawk Ehret, Logan Day, Albert Lorenzana, Irene Pemberton, Ryan Han, Mia Shaughnessy, and adult advisor Suki Kaplan)
WSUU had a Giving Tree for SWYFS – before we stopped by the agency (which is based in North Delridge but does work throughout West Seattle, White Center, and beyond), we received the photo and this report from WSUU’s Kari Kopnick:

This is a photo of the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s youth group with the donations from Westside for our 2010 “Giving Tree” benefiting Southwest Youth and Family Services http://www.swyfs.org/. The congregation donated almost all of the items needed, and the youth group and their advisors decided to take some of the youth group money saved to buy things for the last 17 people on the tree. After a wild trip to Target (Sunday) night, the tree was surrounded! Just a few weeks ago our younger children decorated tags that each had a list of things that people had requested from Southwest Youth and Family Services and hung them on the tree, hoping the congregation could fill requests of 170 people. The requests this year were heartbreaking, things like; towels, comforters and even boxer shorts. We were thrilled to be able to get something for each of the people.

Among the many families helped by SWYFS is the Phan/Harm family, which lost four members in the September murder-suicide shootings; we met two members of the family while at SWYFS, and we’ll update their story – with an update on what they need – separately.

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