West Seattle, Washington

11 Saturday

62℉

How to help 4484 results

OPENING: With cold nights ahead, West Seattle’s only emergency shelter is about to open (updated Wednesday with wish list)
November 5, 2024 2:16 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

With overnight temperatures expected in the 30s this week, the Westside Neighbors’ Shelter in The Triangle is getting ready to open. Here’s the update from shelter manager Keith Hughes:

I will be opening the Overnight Cold Weather Shelter for Wednesday and Thursday nights this week.

Hours are 5:00 PM till 11:00 AM the next day. We will serve a hot dinner at 6:30 pm each day and a hot breakfast at 8:30 AM each day as well as provide cots and blankets inside. We serve adult men and women without exception.

Westside Neighbors Shelter is a 501c3 private nonprofit at 3618 SW Alaska, co-housed with American Legion Post 160 and the West Seattle Veteran Center. We’re checking to see if they have any current donation needs as they get ready to ramp up operations.

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: Here’s how Keith replied:

Top of the List needs are: dry pasta (spaghetti, egg noodles) and pasta sauce, rice in 1 and 2 pound bags, peanut butter, salted butter cubes, store gift cards so we can get eggs, milk, fresh veggies. Non-food items needed are: socks, stocking caps, gloves, men’s boxers L and XL, winter coats.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Four ways to help West Seattle HS PTSA’s fall fundraiser
November 4, 2024 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Four ways to help West Seattle HS PTSA’s fall fundraiser
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The West Seattle High School PTSA invites you to a showcase of student talent at its fall fundraiser in a week and a half, launching this year’s “direct give” drive. Along with buying tickets, there are three other ways to help, per the PTSA’s announcement:

Celebrate WSHS at the PTSA Fall Fundraiser
Join Us for a Showcase of Student Talent
Friday, November 15, WSHS Commons, 5–7 pm, $20 Tickets

We’re kicking off our Direct Give donation drive with a “happy hour” celebration of West Seattle High! Explore student art, music, and drama. Your ticket includes appetizers prepared by our culinary arts students and one mocktail. Come celebrate, while raising money to fund grant requests from staff and students. Bid on generously donated auction items and raise your paddle for our school!

Donations Needed: Please consider a donation for our auction.

Sponsor This Event: Check out our sponsorship packages.

Volunteers Needed: Sign up here for set-up, clean-up, and everything in between.

Can’t Make the Party? Make a gift directly on the PTSA website.

The PTSA’s other fundraising events include the West Seattle 5K – save the date for that, May 18, 2025!

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Local stylists headed to Cambodia to offer cosmetology education to at-risk youth
October 31, 2024 9:00 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

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.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Chief Sealth IHS Bike Club asking for bicycle donations
October 29, 2024 9:00 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Chief Sealth IHS teacher Andy Tuller is a faculty adviser to the school’s new bike club, which is looking for donations:

(Photo courtesy Andy Tuller)

Bike Club’s purpose is to promote a love for cycling, foster a sense of community, and encourage healthy, active lifestyles among students. Our club provides a welcoming environment for all bike enthusiasts, from beginners to experienced riders, to connect, share knowledge, and embark on exciting cycling adventures. We are seeking donations from the West Seattle community of used bikes. We will be working in conjunction with a local bike non-profit to teach students to repair bikes. Students who participate in the club and who demonstrate proficiency in safe urban-riding skills can earn a bike to keep. If there are any West Seattle residents who have a bike that they no longer need, we request that they donate it to the club, and we will ensure that it finds a new home with a deserving student. West Seattlites can reach me at artuller@seattleschools.org and I can arrange a time to come pick up their donation. Thank you!

Share This

CONGRATULATIONS! Chief Sealth IHS wins girls’ cross-country championship. Plus, cleanup fundraiser tomorrow
October 25, 2024 11:53 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Two bits of news from Chief Sealth International High School cross-country – first, from athletic director Ernest Policarpio:

Congrats to the Girls X-Country Team for winning the 2A Metro Championship this week at Lower Woodland.

Federica Dilley is your 2A Individual Metro Champ with a time of 19:11 in the 5K.

And tomorrow morning, the cross-country program is cleaning up the campus and neighborhoods to raise money from the program, 9 am-noon Saturday, in partnership with A Cleaner Alki – here are the details, including how to contribute:

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle High School collecting food, clothing, more for 2 weeks
October 25, 2024 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle High School collecting food, clothing, more for 2 weeks
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

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.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Invest in Youth has a new request for tutoring help with local kids
October 24, 2024 9:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

They called, you answered. Today, Invest in Youth has a new request for volunteers at local schools. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:

Thank you West Seattle for your amazing response!

Can you give 1 hour a week on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons to a local elementary student?

Here are our current needs:
–Roxhill Elementary (Tuesdays @ 2:40 pm-3:40 pm) – 2 tutor openings left
–Sanislo Elementary (Thursdays @ 3:40 pm-4:40 pm) – accepting applications for on-call substitute tutors
–Beacon Hill International Elementary (Tuesdays @ 3:40 pm-4:40 pm) – 5 tutor openings left

We would love for every student to be able to receive 1:1 learning support from a caring community member.

What makes Invest in Youth unique is its dual focus on academic support and relationship based learning. Tutors work with the same student for the course of the school year, developing a meaningful bond.

The first day of tutoring begins next week (10/29) and runs through May 2025. Our program follows the Seattle Public Schools calendar and has a dedicated teacher on-site each week. No tutoring experience is necessary and we welcome highschoolers and adults of all backgrounds and experiences.

Help make a difference in a young person’s life and become a volunteer tutor in your community! Apply here.

Learn more about what we do and all the schools we partner with at InvestinYouth.org

Share This

Got no-longer-needed Legos? Donate them for a school project!
October 17, 2024 1:26 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just out of the WSB inbox:

I’m a STEM Educator at West Seattle Elementary, and my students are working to answer the question, “How can we create the best city?” They will be learning from city planners and architects and interviewing community members to learn about the needs of our neighborhood and the basics of city planning. Afterward, they will use this knowledge to design and build a model of their city using Legos.

We need many Lego bricks to bring these ideas to life! We are requesting donations of any new or used Lego pieces to support this project. Any support will give students the materials they need to deepen their understanding of sustained inquiry, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

Lego donations can be dropped off at West Seattle Elementary (6760 34th SW) between 9 AM and 2 PM. Alternatively, individuals can contact me directly at cheyanne.chadwick@stempaths.org to arrange a pick-up.

Share This

FRIDAY: ‘Bring It Home’ for White Center Food Bank
October 17, 2024 10:17 am
|    Comments Off on FRIDAY: ‘Bring It Home’ for White Center Food Bank
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

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.

Share This

Love chili? Three West Seattle cookoffs ahead
October 13, 2024 6:35 pm
|    Comments Off on Love chili? Three West Seattle cookoffs ahead
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(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)!

Share This

COUNTDOWN: 1 week until you can help orcas by spending a few hours helping the Duwamish River and its salmon
October 12, 2024 4:46 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 1 week until you can help orcas by spending a few hours helping the Duwamish River and its salmon
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB file photos from past Duwamish Alive! events)

Can you set aside a few hours next Saturday to do something that matters in a big way? You can help endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales by volunteering in the Duwamish River watershed to help the salmon on which they rely. We’re told every site for the October 19th Duwamish Alive! multi-site volunteering event still has spots open, even the popular on-the-river kayaking cleanup. Go here and pick a site. Or take inspiration from this first – Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive! Coalition explains why your assistance is so important:

The Duwamish River is alive with its returning salmon and the wildlife that depends on them. Join us for a day in caring for our amazing river, its creeks, and all those living in and around it.

Our coalition partners will be hosting work parties throughout the watershed; efforts include caring for Duwamish Tribal Sacred Sites along the river, special salmon habitat sites that are critical for juvenile salmon as they make their way to Puget Sound, a kayak river cleanup, creating pollinator plant meadows, improving the river’s upland forested Greenbelt, and restoring Hamm Creek at a site that honors military veterans and John Beal, the person who started the immense effort in restoring the river’s health.

Activities include replacing invasive plants with native plants, mulching, removing trash from both the river and at sites, including special tire removal along the river. This is a day of not only improving the health of the Duwamish Watershed but also connecting with community. All are welcome to join this effort. This is a family-friendly event, all ages welcome.

Some of the sites are in West Seattle, others not far. Go here to choose where to help, 10 am-2 pm next Saturday!

Share This

‘Celebration of community and creativity’ – and memorable music – at Mode Music and Performing Arts Friendsgiving. Got your ticket(s) yet?
October 11, 2024 1:24 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo, THEM at Easy Street Records in July)

Hot headliners will rock your world at Friendsgiving, benefiting arts education for all, via Mode Music and Performing Arts – nonprofit offshoot of Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor). Tickets are available now, while they last, and this announcement has full details:

Mode Music and Performing Arts (MMPA) is excited to announce its annual Friendsgiving Fundraiser Dinner and Auction, set to take place on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Emerald City Trapeze Arts. The event will run from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM and promises a memorable evening filled with live performances, delicious food, and unique auction items — all to support a great cause.

The Friendsgiving event aims to raise funds for MMPA’s vital programs, which provide access to arts education for children across Seattle who might not otherwise have the opportunity. These programs include after-school arts enrichment, in-school arts programs, pay-what-you-can group classes and camps, and private-lesson scholarships for music instruction, ensuring that every child has the chance to explore their creativity through the arts.

Event highlights include:

-Special performances by THEM and Brittany Davis, and Mode students and staff
-Live and silent auctions
-Dinner provided by Blue Ribbon Catering with drinks included
-Emcéed by KEXP DJ Troy Nelson

MMPA is grateful for the generous support of Perfect Day Games, whose sponsorship has helped make this event possible.

“We are proud to continue our mission of creating accessible and equitable arts education for all children,” said Erin Rubin, Founder of MMPA. “Friendsgiving is a celebration of community and creativity and we’re so excited to get together with supporters for a fun evening that directly benefits Seattle’s youth.”

Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at auctria.events/Friendsgiving2024 . Those who can’t attend can also support the fundraiser with a donation through the event website. Sponsorships and donations to the auction can still be made through the contact below or through the event website.

MMPA is based in North Delridge; the event venue (Emerald City) is at 2702 6th Ave. S. in nearby SODO.

Share This

HELPING: See what Nucor’s safety campaign brought to WestSide Baby
October 11, 2024 11:56 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | White Center

The twice-yearly “Observation Blitz” campaigns at Nucor‘s West Seattle steel plant has benefits beyond worker safety. It also raises money for West Seattle-founded, White Center-based WestSide Baby to support its work helping babies, kids, and their families. Here’s how the “blitz” is explained: “Nucor challenges their teammates to complete as many safety observations as possible and donates $5, for every observation completed.” Nucor team members stopped by WS Baby on Thursday for a ceremonial check presentation from this year’s campaign, making a donation of $15,800. WS Baby spokesperson Morgan McGinn tells WSB, “Nucor has supported WestSide Baby for going on 11 years now … Our team is so grateful for their commitment to community and giving back.” (You can help WS Baby too – this page will point you to six possibilities.)

Share This

COUNTDOWN: One month until ‘Soaring with Sealth.’ Early-bird tickets available; auction items requested too
October 8, 2024 4:51 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: One month until ‘Soaring with Sealth.’ Early-bird tickets available; auction items requested too
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With one month (and one day) to go until this year’s fundraising dinner/auction for Chief Sealth International High School, tickets are available at the “early bird” rate. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:

The Chief Sealth Auction Committee invites you to purchase Early Bird tickets to our fundraising auction this year! The event will be held at South Seattle College’s Brockey Center in West Seattle on November 9th at 5:30 pm.

The Auction team is currently hard at work securing donations, putting together gift packages, choosing decorations, and planning a fun night in the spirit of the theme “Soaring with Sealth.” Early bird tickets are available this week for $90 ($80 teacher/coach) and include a delicious Northwest meal, plus a great night of entertainment, games, and memorable moments.

We’re also accepting donations for the auction of goods and services, so if you have something you’d like to donate, please let us know. Buy tickets and make donations on our Auction website. Questions can go to Auction Chair Dawn Pomeroy (dpomeroy70.dp@gmail.com)

Come celebrate our school while raising money for a great cause. We hope to see you there.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Here’s how Lou Cutler’s Boston Marathon-plus walk for Make-A-Wish went
October 8, 2024 1:17 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Last week we told you about retired West Seattle PE teacher Lou Cutler‘s plan to participate in a walk on the Boston Marathon route as his journey this year to raise money and awareness for Make-A-Wish – something he did with an annual daylong event on the Pathfinder K-8 field for 20 years. We asked him to let us know how it goes – and here’s the followup! (Note that the “Jimmy Fund” references are related to the walk-sponsoring organization’s fight against childhood cancer – which dovetails with Lou’s cause.)

The Boston Marathon walk went great for 14 miles and then sore feet made it a struggle to complete the course, but I did and feel great about the achievement. I was very inspired by the pictures of children with cancer all along the route and those pictures reinforced the purpose and inspiration of the walk for me, to support Make A Wish children and help raise money to provide spectacular Wishes for children with critical illnesses!

When I finally hobbled across the finish line after 11 hours of walking, my name and hometown was announced and helped make the walk even more meaningful.

One other very special part of the walk was Jim, a friend since Kindergarten walked the half marathon and we met up halfway through the course and we finished together!

The significance of the picture of mile 21 is that it is at the top of Heartbreak Hill and all downhill and flat the rest of the way.

Traditionally, a marathon is 26.2 miles, but they moved the finish line from where the runners would finish because they needed extra space, so that is why the walk was extended to 27 miles.

If you’re inclined to help Lou support Make-A-Wish kids – for whom he’s volunteered in other ways for decades, as well as his annual fundraising laps – here’s his custom donation link.

Share This

BIZNOTE: All The Best Pet Care launches pet-food drive, doubling your donations
October 4, 2024 7:33 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: All The Best Pet Care launches pet-food drive, doubling your donations
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

If you’re shopping for pet food this weekend – or any time this month – you can also do a good deed by being part of this month’s pet-food donation drive at All The Best Pet Care (WSB sponsor), which has a West Seattle store at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW. Here’s the announcement:

(Photo courtesy All The Best Pet Care: Volunteers from Dog Gone Seattle picking up Nulo donations from the 2023 food drive)

Many people are seeking ways to make sure their donation dollars are maximized and used wisely. Those who wish to help local animal shelters and rescues can double their donation at All The Best Pet Care. For the entire month of October, any Nulo or Weruva dog or cat food purchased for donating at an All The Best Pet Care stores will be matched, pound for pound. Customers who buy Nulo or Weruva products for their own cats and dogs will also have a matching amount donated. Customers purchasing these items receive 10% off all month.

The donation recipients will include Alley Cat Project, Ballard Food Bank, Bella’s Voice, Dog Gone Seattle, Homeward Pet, MEOW Cat Rescue, Motley Zoo, Pawsitive Alliance Seattle Area Feline Rescue, Seattle Veterinary Outreach, Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary, Washington Health Outreach, and White Center Food Bank.

“Our goal is to donate 24,000 pounds of premium quality cat and dog food to our many deserving animal shelters and rescue groups, which is about equal to a $60,000 donation. We’re excited about this opportunity to make a huge impact on needy dogs and cats in our community,” said Josh Moss, co-CEO of All The Best Pet Care.

The West Seattle All The Best Pet Care store‘s hours are 9:30 am-7:30 pm Mondays-Saturdays, 10 am-7 pm Sundays.

Share This

One day, many ways to care for Seattle’s only river during fall Duwamish Alive!
October 3, 2024 2:20 pm
|    Comments Off on One day, many ways to care for Seattle’s only river during fall Duwamish Alive!
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news


(WSB file photo)

The twice-yearly Duwamish Alive! day for cleanup and restoration work on the Duwamish River and in its watershed is almost here. Four West Seattle opportunities are part of the list for the fall edition of Duwamish Alive! Here’s the announcement we received today from Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive! coalition:

Saturday, October 19th 10 – 2 at multiple Sites

Join Duwamish Alive! this fall as our salmon are returning in our Duwamish River and Longfellow Creek, with this watershed wide effort in improving the health of our salmon by restoring their habitat which provides food, shelter and cool, clean water that salmon need. Volunteers will be restoring native habitat on in multiple urban parks and open spaces by removing invasive weeds, planting native plants, removing debris, and learning about healthy habitat. This is a family friendly event, all ages welcomed and encouraged.

To volunteer, visit www.DuwamishAlive.org to see the different volunteer opportunities and register for the site of your choice, or email info@duwamishalive.org

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Crowdfunding for family of Triangle murder victim
October 3, 2024 12:07 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | How to help | West Seattle news

A little over a week has passed since 32-year-old Laupule Talaga was shot and killed at his workplace in the West Seattle Triangle. Police have yet to release any additional information about the case. Mr. Talaga’s employers at Seattle Soul Kitchen described him as a father of three, and his family now says his partner is expecting twins. For those who have asked if there’s any way the community can help Mr. Talaga’s family, they just let us know that they have set up a crowdfunding page – you’ll find it here.

Share This

STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Fairmount Park Elementary PTA request
October 3, 2024 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Fairmount Park Elementary PTA request
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Local students have another opportunity to get an early start in volunteer work! The Fairmount Park Elementary PTA asked us to share this request with you:

Fairmount Park Elementary PTA is hosting the annual Falcon Fest on October 18th from 6-7:30 pm. This is a fall festival with family friendly games. The PTA is need of Middle and High Schoolers to help run the stations. If you are a past Fairmount Park student, this is a fun way to earn volunteer hours and support your alma mater. Please sign up here.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Library volunteers welcoming book donations
October 2, 2024 9:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Got books you don’t want/need any more? Many donation-accepting organizations aren’t interested in books … but here’s an exception: The White Center Library Guild. In addition to their sale events, guild volunteers maintain a “for sale” shelf at the WC Library. The guild says, “We accept old books, new books and everything in between. Just take your donations to the library front desk. Contributions help fund children and adult programs at the White Center Library!” It’s at 1409 SW 107th; days/hours are here.

Share This

HELPING: Lou Cutler’s next big walk for Make-A-Wish – on a legendary running route
October 1, 2024 11:35 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2018 Laps With Lou)

For 20 years, now-retired PE teacher Lou Cutler led an annual daylong running/walking event on the field at Pathfinder K-8, raising money for Make-A-Wish, for which he’s volunteered even longer. The event – during which Lou celebrated his birthday by circling the field once for every year of his life – was held during a school day until last year, when it had to move to a Saturday. That just wasn’t the same, so 2023, marking his 72nd birthday, was the last Laps With Lou. But his Make-A-Wish support continues, and he’s found a new way to do it on his feet: This week, he’s going to Boston for a big walk Sunday on the legendary Boston Marathon route. We asked him to tell us – and you – about his plan:

At this time next Sunday, I will have finished the Boston Marathon walk and will no doubt be fully exhilarated that I followed the same path as all the great Boston Marathon runners over the past 100-plus years. The only difference is that instead of finishing where the Marathoners finish, we will finish at Boston Common and I assume that might be due to a traffic issue. The good news is that our course is slightly longer, so I can proudly say that I did a Marathon plus several extra tenths of a mile!!

I haven’t done the recommended amount of training in terms of longer walks, but rather will rely on the inspiration that I receive from my regular interaction with the Make A Wish kids, who are the bravest people in the world who meet daily health challenges head on with maximum effort and a minimum of complaint and through it all are incredibly resilient and superstars!!

As much as I will enjoy myself next week walking the Marathon and raising money for MAW, nothing will ever compare with the joy and thrill of running with the entire Pathfinder student body to benefit Make A Wish for the past 20 years.

As was the case for all the years of Laps With Lou at Pathfinder, there’s a Make-A-Wish link where you can donate directly to Lou’s fundraising campaign to help kids’ wishes come true – just go here.

Share This

WEEKEND PREVIEW: 2024 West Seattle Eco-Fair will spotlight action you can take – plus Jeff Renner
September 26, 2024 8:32 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | High Point | How to help | West Seattle news

Think global, act local. You’ve probably heard that many times. It especially rings true for things you can do to help the environment – for example, catching rainwater with a cistern, like the one above that we saw last night outside Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. It was installed via RainWise, one of the programs and organizations you can learn about at this year’s West Seattle Eco-Fair, set for 10 am-2 pm Saturday (September 28) at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (35th/Myrtle). The fair also will feature a talk at noon by retired KING 5 TV meteorologist Jeff Renner; organizers say he’ll discuss “the impact that climate change and other environmental issues are likely to have globally and in the Pacific Northwest, and what he believes we are called to do in response.” The Eco-Fair is presented by the Care for Creation Ministry of Holy Rosary and OLG Catholic parishes, with assistance from Peace Lutheran Church and other congregations. Here’s the list of exhibitors – which might be even longer by Saturday, we’re told:

A Cleaner Alki
Climate Reality Project — King County
Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition
Earth Ministry
Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE
Plant Amnesty
RainWise
Ridge to River Project
West Seattle Bike Connections
West Seattle Food Bank
Wolf Haven International

Admission is free and everyone’s welcome. One of the organizers, Vince Stricherz, adds, “Our hope is to make this an ongoing event with an organizational base that grows well beyond our two Catholic parishes to involve other churches and possibly even civic groups. The environmental issues we see today aren’t going away any time soon, so we hope to keep everyone in West Seattle connected with good information and ideas of how they can make a difference.”

Share This

COUNTDOWN: 1 month until West Seattle Monster Dash 2024. Sign up now for less $!
September 26, 2024 12:01 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 1 month until West Seattle Monster Dash 2024. Sign up now for less $!
 |   Halloween | How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo, Monster Dash’s mascot in 2023)

Fall’s fun costumed 5K, the West Seattle Monster Dash, is exactly one month away. Organizers just sent the announcement, and we notice that you have only a few more days to sign up at lower rates. The Monster Dash – set for Saturday, October 26, at Lincoln Park – is a fundraiser for West Seattle’s Cooperative Preschool program. As organizers describe it, “This event is a costumed 5k trail run/walk, Kids Dash, and Kids Zone featuring games, activities, and prizes. Paid registration includes a T-shirt featuring our iconic Monster (all races) and bib with timing chip (5K only).” The 5K starts at 9:30 am, and the Kids’ Dash at 10:30 am. Adult and youth 5K registration is at the lowest price if you sign up before next Tuesday (October 1) – to register, go here. The Monster Dash (in its lucky 13th year!) is also still welcoming sponsors – go here.

Share This