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CAN YOU HELP? Labor Day weekend mural painting at West Seattle school
August 30, 2024 9:00 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)

Urban Art Works is hoping for more helping hands to paint a mural at Lafayette Elementary this weekend. If you can spare a little time Sunday and/or Monday, read on:

Volunteers Needed ✨

Volunteers! Join us for painting at Lafayette Elementary School in West Seattle! We’re painting the exterior walls of two portable classrooms, the project is on a very tight turnaround as we’re aiming to start and complete the mural in two days! With your help, we can do it!

When: Labor Day Weekend — Sunday, September 1st & Monday, September 2nd
Time: Shifts are available in 1.5-hour slots from 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Lafayette Elementary, 2645 California Ave SW

We’re aiming to complete this mural before school starts on the 4th. The first slot is open to all levels (adults), with intermediate and advanced slots in the middle of the day and afternoon. Our goal is to complete the mural on Sept 1st, with Sept 2nd being a back-up day for any necessary touch-ups; if we are able to finish on the 1st, the 2nd will be canceled, so make sure to sign up for the 1st if you want to make sure to get a chance to paint :)

Sign up for as many slots as you like, and let’s paint!

*Sign up here

*Parking Info: Find parking at the back of the school by turning into the alley next to Wiseman’s Appliance on California Ave.

Don’t forget your paint clothes, water, and sunscreen!

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Pencil Me in for Kids does it again (and again, and again …)
August 29, 2024 11:27 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

That’s Sue Lindblom, who – with the Rotary Club of West Seattle and her former business Illusions Hair Design – has been helping local students get ready for the new school year since 1996, via Pencil Me in for Kids. Today Sue’s delivering this year’s donated backpacks and school supplies to six local schools.

She and other volunteers gathered Wednesday afternoon at American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle to get everything ready for today’s deliveries to Arbor Heights, Highland Park, Roxhill, Sanislo, and West Seattle Elementary Schools and Louisa Boren STEM K-8. Classes at those and other Seattle Public Schools start next Wednesday.

You can support Pencil Me in for Kids by donating to the Rotary Service Foundation.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Can you help with Madison MS spruce-up Tuesday?
August 26, 2024 12:47 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just a little over a week remains in summer break – and one local school community would love your help with a cleanup tomorrow! Here’s the invitation:

Please come join the Madison PTSA and A Cleaner Alki as they spruce-up the Madison Middle School campus to prepare for the new school year this Tuesday, August 27 from 9:30-11:30 AM. All are welcome to volunteer! We are happy to sign student’s volunteer hour sheets. More details can be found here.

Thank you and we hope to see you there.

First day of classes for Seattle Public Schools is a week from Wednesday – on September 4.

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YOU CAN HELP: If you can give an hour and a half a month, 30 local teens are looking for you!
August 21, 2024 3:46 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A little time can make a big difference, if you can be a volunteer mentor for a new program at West Seattle High School. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for 30 adult volunteers to mentor 9th through 12th graders once a month in a program called “MentorU.”

One in three kids in America are growing up without a sustained, positive adult mentor in their lives and over 500 youth are on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound’s waitlist for a mentor. The gap between mentorship and youth who need it most continues to widen due to adult volunteers’ perceived barriers of the time and expertise needed to become a mentor. Understanding the critical need, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound seeks to engage and galvanize community members to help bridge the gap between people and possibility. Contrary to what potential volunteers might assume, no special qualifications are needed to be a great mentor.

The MentorU program engages local adult volunteers and 9th through 12th graders in 1:1 mentoring relationships with 90-minute meetings just once each month during the academic year. Mentors meet with their mentee to provide insights into the professional world and support mentees’ social-emotional development. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound provides a facilitator who guides mentors & mentees through a curriculum that prepares mentees for post-secondary education, employment, enlistment, and entrepreneurship. The program uses a cohort-based approach, working with incoming 9th graders, with the goal of ongoing student participation from 9th through 12th grade.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for adults who live or work in or near West Seattle who are interested in mentoring these young people. To be great mentors, adults don’t need to have a specific title, a degree, or any special qualifications other than being compassionate, patient, and accepting. Even the littlest moments can grow into big ones – sometimes all teens need is a little encouragement, a little advice, and a little inspiration.

Mentoring has a long track record of proven positive outcomes, in particular, 100% of young people matched with mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound graduate high school. A staggering 79% of youth with a mentor experienced improvement in or reported no worsening of depressive symptoms – a goal which MentorU’s social-emotional programming directly supports.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is looking for 30 volunteers of all gender identities, ethnicities, nationalities, and backgrounds who are willing to spend just an hour and a half per month to help teens in MentorU achieve their BIGGEST, brightest futures. Are YOU ready to #BEBIG? Learn more and get started at inspirebig.org/mentoru

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Friends of Roxhill Elementary hope you’ll help with field trip, supply costs
August 19, 2024 9:09 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

“Thank you for being a friend!” The board of Friends of Roxhill Elementary offers those words of gratitude in advance for help with the first fundraiser of the year – here’s their message:

Kick off the new school year by giving to the Roxhill Field Trip and Classroom Fund!

Did you know schools and families cover the cost of field trips? This creates a disparity between field trip experiences across schools in our district.

With your generous donations, Friends of Roxhill provides each teacher at our school with money for field trips and to equip their classroom with much-needed supplies, like educational games, toys, and books. Last year, donations helped send Roxhill students to the Seattle Aquarium, the Woodland Park Zoo, and the Seattle Children’s Theater.

Last year, each teacher received ~$15 per student. We’d like to increase the amount to ~$20 per student this year!

100% of funds will go to teachers to benefit our RoxStars.

Roxhill Elementary is a small but mighty Title I school with about 250 students, located in the south end of West Seattle. Friends of Roxhill Elementary supports the education and enrichment of our multicultural public school in Seattle. Over 70% of our students are from BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color). Our nonprofit focuses on building equity for students through fundraising, community building, and other important projects for our kids’ school success.

You can help by going here. School starts two weeks from Wednesday!

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ANNIVERSARY: 1 week until 1 year since West Seattle met its troll. Here’s how to be part of next Sunday’s celebration of Bruun Idun’s anniversary
August 18, 2024 2:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

August 25, 2023, was the day that Bruun Idun the troll was officially introduced near Colman Pool in Lincoln Park (WSB coverage here), after weeks of semi-secret construction by Danish recycled-materials artist Thomas Dambo and volunteers. Next Sunday is the one-year anniversary, and a restoration event is at the heart of the celebration:

The restoration work party is planned from 10 am to noon Sunday, August 25 – followed by ice cream! Forest steward Lisa McGinty sent the invitation:

August 25th is BRUUN IDUN DAY in Seattle! Celebrate with our much-loved troll in Lincoln Park. We’ll be working to restore natural areas surrounding the troll and making space for winter planting season. After our work is done, Scan Design Foundation will be treating all to an ICE CREAM SOCIAL as we honor Bruun Idun and the land and sea where she calls home. Great opportunity for student service hours!

All ages are welcome; bring your own gloves if you have them, but if you don’t, you’ll be able to borrow a pair, with tools available too. You’re asked to RSVP – you can do that right now, here.

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FOLLOWUP: How to help Delridge church recover from fire
August 16, 2024 4:22 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Monday)

Back on Monday, we reported on a fire that damaged three buildings at Full Gospel Pentecostal Federated Church in North Delridge. The next day, as we noted in an update at the end of the original report, SFD announced the fire was accidental. Readers have asked how to help the church recover; today, District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s newest newsletter has suggestions. He writes:

… Church leadership are looking at the availability for an alternative site for their Sunday service and they will be issuing community notifications soon. The leadership shared: “Our greatest joy would be to see the community of supporters in person and their best donation is the time taken in human fellowship.”

Monetary donations can be sent electronically to the Church’s Cash App log-in: #FullGospel5071, or Zelle, log in fgpfcf@gmail.com. Checks may be mailed to: Full Gospel Pentecostal Federated Church, c/o P.O. Box 232 Renton, WA 98057.

{Note: Other types of donations are welcomed, but the capacity to store them is currently very limited at this time.}

No one was injured by the fire. We spoke at the scene with someone from the church who told us it hit doubly hard because they were already grieving, having just hosted a memorial service two days earlier for a longtime member.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Street closure Saturday for Salvation Army’s Fund Run
August 15, 2024 11:59 am
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: Street closure Saturday for Salvation Army’s Fund Run
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

In case you haven’t already seen it in our calendar: The Salvation Army is having a fundraising 5K on Saturday (August 17), and part of the course involves a street closure. The Fund Run will close SW Barton on Saturday morning; the course is described as, “from the White Center Salvation Army parking lot [9050 16th SW], east on Barton up to Westcrest Park, where a designated loop will be set up with volunteers, and then back to the Salvation Army. SW Barton Street will be closed between 8th Ave and 16th Ave.” The run starts at 9 am, with 5K and 1K options; registration is still open. They’re fundraising for ongoing community programs including senior lunches, day camps, and after-school services.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Can you spare a little time to help kids with homework at local libraries?
August 14, 2024 11:59 am
|    Comments Off on BACK TO SCHOOL: Can you spare a little time to help kids with homework at local libraries?
 |   High Point | How to help | South Park | West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

For 30 years, the Seattle Public Library has welcomed volunteers to help local students with their homework during drop-in after-school hours. This year, they’re recruiting volunteers for free Homework Help tutoring at the High Point and South Park branches. Citywide, last school year, SPL says 1,100 students used Homework Help more than 4,400 times, aided by more than 180 volunteers. SPL says 60 percent of the students reported better grades as a result of the help they received. You can be part of kids’ success this year! Here’s what SPL wants prospective volunteers to know:

The Library requests a volunteer commitment for the school year, specifically from Sept. 16, 2024 through June 12, 2025. Volunteer shifts are available Monday through Thursday between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and each shift is approximately two hours.

Volunteers must be 18 or older. Having competence in another language, especially Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali, Oromo and Spanish, is also helpful. The majority of students served by the program are youth of color, with 90% of students reporting their parents speaking a language other than English at home.

Volunteer tutors receive an orientation and additional materials about working with youth and concepts such as social-emotional learning and growth mindset.

During Homework Help sessions, volunteers help students with homework, play learning games, read to students, or work with them on academic worksheets. Volunteers work with students individually and in small groups. High-school students can get help with not just academic subjects but with other priorities such as college essays.

Because Homework Help is a drop-in program, students can show up any day to receive help, and they do not need to have a Library card to attend. Snacks are provided at every Homework Help session, courtesy of The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Hunger Intervention Program.

Can you help? Or, have a question? You can email SPL’s Volunteer Services Coordinator at volunteer@spl.org (and find more info here). They’re hoping to hear from new volunteers ASAP as the new school year approaches, but they do also accept volunteer applications throughout the year.

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YOU CAN HELP: Westside Neighbors Shelter’s midsummer restock request
August 10, 2024 2:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

When we were in The Triangle earlier, we stopped next door to check on the Westside Neighbors Shelter, currently open as a morning “warmup center.” Manager Keith Hughes was in fact assembling a “midsummer restock” list of items that are running short and subsequently sent it to us:

Coffee Mate powdered creamer
Instant Oatmeal Packets
Instant Hot Chocolate Packets
Pop-top canned soups
Beef Stew and Chili
Pancake syrup, jelly
Top Ramen, Cup o’ Noodles

Thank you all very much for continuing to support those in need.

The shelter at 3618 SW Alaska – the building that also houses the West Seattle Veteran Center and American Legion Post 160 – remains powered by donations and volunteers. If you can donate any of the aforementioned items, Keith says the best time to drop them off is 8 am-11 am seven days a week.

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COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks + 1 day until Admiral Funktion street party. Can you help? Tasty incentives!
August 9, 2024 3:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

After presenting a holiday parade and three free concerts, the Admiral Neighborhood Association has one more big event ahead this summer – the Admiral Funktion street party, 11 am-8 pm Saturday, August 24, on California SW north of Admiral Way. It’ll have all the things that make street festivals fun – music, food, activities – and since the ANA is a small-but-mighty nonprofit community group, it also needs you! ANA’s Dan Jacobs explains, “We are looking for ‘day of event’ volunteers. Shifts are early morning setup, later evening teardown, and daytime shifts for band/stage support. Besides the thanks of a grateful neighborhood, Mission Cantina and Arthur’s will be offering donations of food/drink items. If interested they can contact us here.” (WSB is media sponsor for Admiral Funktion – we’ll see you there whether you’re volunteering, attending, or both!)

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Three notes from Center for Active Living: Open house, mural update, call for volunteers
August 6, 2024 12:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Three notes from Center for Active Living: Open house, mural update, call for volunteers
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Center for Active Living (ex-Senior Center) in The Junction has three things to share:

OPEN HOUSE AND DANCE PARTY THURSDAY: Haven’t visited the center lately – or ever? 5-8 pm Thursday (August 8) you’re invited to a community open house, with tours and refreshments. Then 8-10 pm, stay for an ’80s dance party – no charge, beverages (beer, wine, non-alcoholic) available for purchase, along with “throwback-themed snacks.” Dress ’80s-style if you want to!

MURAL UPDATE: We’ve reported previously on the center’s plan for an exterior mural, and the choice of artist Brady Black to paint it. The center says he “will present his final design for The Center’s mural this Thursday at the Community Open House … He’ll be available to chat with community members and answer questions about his process. He is planning to begin painting the week of August 18.”

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: The center is a nonprofit powered in large part by volunteers. Maybe you can help? Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:

The Center for Active Living is currently in need of volunteers to fill the following positions:

Retail Sales Clerk/Cashier: provide general customer assistance in the retail thrift shop

Chef Assistant: help prepare meals for Community Dining Program; chop, bake and general commercial kitchen help

Kitchen Dishwasher: load and unload a commercial kitchen dishwasher

Café Attendant: Take customer orders and prepare sandwiches and salads in The Center’s onsite café

Westside Friends: provide companionship and support to seniors in their home location in West Seattle

Must be 18 years of age or older, and shifts are generally weekdays during the day, and can be two to three hours in duration. Flexible scheduling options are available. To apply, click this link to complete a volunteer application or email dannyp@wscenter.org

The center is at 4217 SW Oregon.

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TICKET TIME! You can lock in yours for this year’s Taste of West Seattle
August 2, 2024 3:44 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

The Taste of West Seattle usually sells out – so the West Seattle Food Bank sent this announcement in hopes you won’t miss out:

We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for the highly anticipated Taste of West Seattle, the largest community-based food fair in the area. This beloved event will take place on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, at The Hall at Fauntleroy.

The Taste of West Seattle is a celebration of our vibrant local food scene, featuring an incredible array of food and drinks from dozens of local restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, specialty food stores, and more. Musical entertainment this year is generously provided by Correo Aereo.

The Taste of West Seattle draws a sell-out crowd of hundreds of people from throughout King County, all coming together to enjoy delicious offerings and support the West Seattle Food Bank. The attendees vote to select winners in categories such as “Best Savory Taste” and “Best Pour” and there are raffles, games and fun!

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, September 19th, 2024
VIP Entrance: 5:30 PM, General Admission: 6:00 PM
Tickets: GA $75, VIP $125 (must be 21+ to attend)
Location: The Hall at Fauntleroy

For a list of participating food and beverage vendors, and to purchase tickets, please visit WestSeattleFoodBank.org. For more information or to become a participating vendor, please contact Robbin Peterson, Development Director at WSFB: 206-686-4521 or robbin@westseattlefoodbank.org

26 food/beverage purveyors are already on the list as of moments ago! The Hall at Fauntleroy is at 9131 California SW.

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YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer for the new Camp Long Climbing Corps
July 24, 2024 9:17 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer for the new Camp Long Climbing Corps
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

A unique outdoor volunteering opportunity is open at Camp Long – you are invited to join the park’s Climbing Corps, helping more people enjoy its historic Schurman Rock! From Camp Long’s Matt Kostle:

We need folks to volunteer as part of our new Camp Long Climbing Corps program! This is an opportunity to get trained in the skill of belaying folks on a top rope rock climbing setup so you can help with our Tuesday Rocks series of free and open to the public rock climbing events on Tuesday evenings in August!

No prior experience is needed and this is an opportunity to volunteer supporting a really fun program which is often many kids’ first climbing experience and you can help them enjoy the magic that Schurman is as the oldest human-made rock climbing wall in the country! This is a new pilot program and we are hoping this allows us to expand our programming but we need community support to make it happen! Come be part of the Camp Long community and help others climb on a piece of history!

A training session for volunteers is planned next Tuesday (July 30). Sign up here!

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YOU CAN HELP: Food drive at this week’s Admiral Music in the Parks concert
July 23, 2024 11:29 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Food drive at this week’s Admiral Music in the Parks concert
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, last Thursday)

Thursday brings the second concert in the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s three-show summer series, Admiral Music in the Parks. It’s free to attend – but if you can, this week, ANA asks you to bring a non-perishable food donation to support the all-summer-long Admiral Church-led food drive; you’ll find the donation bin at the ANA’s booth at the show. Last week, as shown above (and covered here), the first concert was at Belvedere Park, but this week it’ll be at California Place Park, at California/Hill, adjacent to the Admiral Church campus. This week is another double bill – Michael Pearsall and the Westside Pretenders. Bring a chair/blanket/picnic dinner (or order one!), 6:30 pm Thursday (July 25).

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Run the route! Parade-preceding Float Dodger 5K, starring you, just four days away
July 16, 2024 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on Run the route! Parade-preceding Float Dodger 5K, starring you, just four days away
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB file photo, Float Dodger 5K)

Saturday brings the 10th anniversary of the 5K that’s the opening act for the West Seattle Grand Parade – the Float Dodger 5K. You can run or walk the parade route, from Admiral to The Junction and back, and then enjoy a root-beer float as parade time approaches. Costumes welcome for Float Dodger, too (but not mandatory). Best of all, your entry fee supports the West Seattle Food Bank – the 5K’s organizers at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) set it up as a fundraiser, so the more people are in it, the more $ for WSFB in its work providing not only food but also emergency assistance to keep people from becoming homeless. The Float Dodger 5K starts at 9:30 am Saturday, with a free Kids’ Dash before it, at 8:45 am. Register for either or both here!

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GIVING: Center For Active Living gets a gift from Impact West Seattle – plus, a new website
July 15, 2024 4:13 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The report and photo are from Center For Active Living executive director Amy Lee Derenthal:

We were the fortunate recipients of a $18,400 gift from Impact West Seattle and we’re so very thankful for their support of the work we are doing in the community for people 50+. This funding will help pay for the 40+ programs and services we have happening in our building each week. Here’s our new website showing the programming they are supporting: wscenter.org.

Impact West Seattle is a coalition of women in West Seattle who use our collective giving and action to make an impact on the social, economic and environmental issues facing our region. They are always looking for more women to join, and they also meet here at The Center on a quarterly basis. We have a longtime relationship with these women, who are supporting so many of our local non-profits.

A huge THANK YOU to Impact West Seattle for this funding!

You can find out more about Impact West Seattle here. And you can donate to the Center For Active Living any time here.

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YOU CAN HELP: Get your West Seattle Food Bank raffle ticket(s) at Summer Fest
July 12, 2024 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Get your West Seattle Food Bank raffle ticket(s) at Summer Fest
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

The start of West Seattle Summer Fest today also brings the start of the West Seattle Food Bank‘s famous annual raffle – here’s the announcement explaining how to get your ticket(s)!

We are thrilled to announce the start of our Summer Raffle ticket sales! This year, we have an exciting lineup of prizes and a fantastic way for everyone to be a winner while supporting our community.

A total of 500 tickets are up for grabs, each priced at just $10. Everyone’s a winner! Each ticket stub entitles the holder to a one-time 10% discount at each of the five participating restaurants: Phoenecia, West Seattle Grounds, T2 Wine Cellers, Seattle Sorbets, and Soprano’s Antico.

The grand draw will take place on July 31st, with the first prize being a $150 gift card for West Seattle Junction. The second prize is a $100 gift card to Hotwire Coffee, and the third prize is a $50 gift card to Sound and Fog. Winners will be notified by phone.

Tickets can be purchased at WSFB’s Summer Fest booth, Float Dodger 5K booth, or by visiting the food bank on weekdays between 9 am and 3 pm. All proceeds from the raffle will be directly utilized to support our mission of keeping our neighbors fed and housed. We look forward to your participation in this exciting event!

We’ll add the exact booth locations a bit later (most booths line California SW between Oregon and Edmunds); Food Bank HQ is at 35th/Morgan

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SUMMER ON THE RUN: Ready for Float Dodger 5K?
July 3, 2024 11:38 pm
|    Comments Off on SUMMER ON THE RUN: Ready for Float Dodger 5K?
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB file photo, past Float Dodgers arriving in The Junction)

On Tuesday, we reported on ways you can help the West Seattle Food Bank this summer. Here’s one more: Before the West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday, July 20, you can run/walk the parade route, California Avenue SW from Hiawatha to The Junction, in the Float Dodger 5K! Our area’s only running store, West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), presents the Float Dodger 5K, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and WSR’s Lori McConnell tells WSB, “Dogs, kids, casual walkers, serious runners, all are welcome! The first 600 people registered will receive a free commemorative mason jar to put their root-beer float in (or beer) at the Good Society-sponsored beer garden after the race. Feel free to stay and view the parade from our storefront. All proceeds go to the West Seattle Food Bank again this year!! We are looking for participants, sponsors, and volunteers!” You can register here (same link for the free Kids’ Dash at 8:45 am, preceding the 9:30 am Float Dodger 5K). Sponsoring info is at the bottom of this page; you can join the volunteering team here.

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HOLIDAY HELP: Can you be a flag volunteer for West Seattle Junction?
July 2, 2024 1:22 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

As is customary on the Fourth of July, the West Seattle Junction Association will place dozens of American flags in the heart of the business district – with volunteer help. WSJA’s Stacie Woods tells WSB they have enough help in the morning but need more in the afternoon to remove the flags, 4-5 pm. All ages welcome – sign up to help out by going here!

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Five things the West Seattle Food Bank needs most right now – not just nonperishable food
July 2, 2024 9:00 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Right about this time Monday, we reported on the first day of this year’s summer meals program to keep local kids from going hungry.

Today, the other side – for those who can offer help instead of needing it, here’s what the West Seattle Food Bank is looking for right now. We asked WSFB development director Robbin Peterson what’s at the top of their list:

“We need everything, but because of our ability to purchase at lower than retail – we really need dollars. For example, if someone donates a can of tuna – we love that. But for the price of that one, we could get three from our suppliers.” Here are multiple ways to give money..

If you’d rather give food, Robbin says, “We need kid-friendly snacks and heat & eat meals. Lots of the kids experiencing hunger this summer also need to be able to prepare this food themselves; for themselves and their siblings while their adult caregiver is working. Mac and cheese, canned pasta in sauce, canned stews, canned protein like tuna and chicken to make sandwiches, and snacks.

“Also – we want garden produce!!! Plums! Squash! Tomatoes! Anything people like to grow, we’d love to have to redistribute to families. Kiddos need healthy, fresh fruit and veggies and we’d love to have garden produce to supplement what we can offer.”

And if you’re growing herbs in your garden, those are welcome too: “Food banks rarely get spices, so fresh grown herbs can be a fantastic addition to our offerings and give flavor to the basics. Have a rosemary or oregano plant over growing? We’ll take the excess!” You can bring donations to WSFB HQ on the southeast corner of 35th/Morgan between 9 am and 3 pm any weekday (till 7 pm on Wednesday).

Robbin added: “Also, while not food, we are already looking for donations of back-to-school clothes for The Clothesline. The families who rely on clothing banks start looking early so they have time to find what they need for everyone. New or gently used kids shoes, coats, jackets, and clothing as well as new socks and underwear are always needed and appreciated. Clothesline donations can be taken directly to that location, 4425 41st Ave. SW, Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 10 am-1 pm.”

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YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer cleanup Saturday at West Seattle’s only official dog park
June 27, 2024 11:25 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

That photo is from Jordan, who’s organizing a community cleanup at West Seattle’s only official dog park – Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area [map] – this Saturday (June 29). We’re mentioning it here in case you haven’t seen it in our Event Calendar or seen the sign-up sheets at the park. Jordan says advance sign-up is NOT necessary – just show up on Saturday, between 10 am and 2 pm: “We’re looking for volunteers to help clean up the park via trimming bushes, filling holes, moving rocks, cleaning the bulletin board, and picking up trash/poop. We ask that people bring some shovels, racks, clippers, and buckets if they have them but some are available to use at the park. Otherwise, donuts/ muffins/ baked goods and coffee will be available to snack on, and whoever would like to show up is more than welcome to!”

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You can help close the loop: Here’s how to bring 2024 Loop the ‘Lupe across one more finish line
June 16, 2024 11:47 am
|    Comments Off on You can help close the loop: Here’s how to bring 2024 Loop the ‘Lupe across one more finish line
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

This year’s Loop the ‘Lupe fundraising run/walk/obstacle course was a success in many ways. Organizer Brian Callanan says a record number of people signed up. (We showed you some of the fun in our coverage.) And they recruited a record number of volunteers, too – some of those are in the photo above. But, Brian says, “We have about half as many donations this year as we’ve had in years past. The Loop is OLG’s largest external fundraiser.. The money goes toward supporting work like providing food and rental assistance to local families in need, helping prisoners re-integrate into the community after their sentences, and much more.” In hopes of bringing in a bit more to support that work, Brian says, the donation link will be open through tomorrow (Monday, June 17) night at midnight. If you can help, here’s where to go

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