West Seattle, Washington
31 Sunday
If you’re shopping for back-to-school supplies, consider buying extra, if you can, to donate to the Southwest Youth and Family Services donation drive. Through Thursday (August 29th), they’re accepting donated items as listed above. Then on Thursday 4-7 pm they’ll distribute donate supplies to local kids. If you can donate, you’ll find SWYFS at 4555 Delridge Way SW.
(WSB photo from 2016 Monster Dash)
Third running-related story of the day: Just two months until the 2019 West Seattle Monster Dash. Set your calendar for 9 am-11 am Saturday, October 26th, when the costumes-encouraged event will return to Lincoln Park. Besides the 5K trail run, the Monster Dash also will feature kid dashes and a family-fun zone. Proceeds benefit the South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools. You can register right now at earlybird prices. (Here’s our coverage from last year.)
As the weekend begins, you can plan to be part of a fun event that’s happening toward its end – “bring a non-perishable food item and enjoy fun soccer-related games and activities with Highline Premier Football Club coaches and players,” 5-8 pm Sunday (August 25th) at Walt Hundley Playfield. Donated food will go to the West Seattle Food Bank‘s ongoing assistance for thousands of your neighbors. The field is at 34th SW and SW Myrtle.
(WSB photos)
Inside that building is the new home of The Clothesline, the clothing bank offered to people in need by the West Seattle Helpline. It’s on the West Seattle Christian Church campus, only about half a block from its previous home, which was in a church-owned building set for demolition and redevelopment. We got a quick look inside during tonight’s reopening celebration.
The Clothesline is set up like a clothing store – except that it’s free. That is of course thanks to generous donors, and the volunteers who sort and process what comes in:
Wondering how to help? Here’s what they need. Wondering how to get help? That info’s here.
Another fall date to save! The local nonprofit centered on helping people stay out of homelessness, West Seattle Helpline, invites you to its fall fundraiser. The announcement:
We are excited to announce that tickets are on sale for the West Seattle Helpline’s 10th annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Dinner & Auction, presented by Metropolitan Market. Join us on Saturday, October 12th at The Hall at Fauntleroy for a fun-filled evening celebrating and strengthening our wonderful West Seattle and White Center community! There will be a cocktail hour with live music and a silent auction, a delicious dinner, exciting live auction, and our famous dessert dash.
All proceeds from Neighbors Helping Neighbors will allow the West Seattle Helpline to continue to provide our homelessness-prevention services to keep our neighbors safe and stable in their homes, including:
-Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance program, which provides emergency financial assistance to over 1,000 community members to prevent homelessness, imminent evictions, and utility shut-offs.
-The Clothesline, our free clothing bank that serves over 1,500 clients and their families.
-Transportation Voucher program, which offers over 7,000 free bus tickets to help neighbors travel to work, medical appointments, interviews, and more.
-The Helpline Hotline, a hub for neighbors to find resources for no-cost public and private services.
You can purchase your ticket(s) here; if you’re interested in sponsoring the event, email
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email Cilia Jurdy – development@wshelpline.org.
As reported earlier this year, the West Seattle Helpline‘s clothing bank Clothesline has moved to a new location – still in The Junction, still in a space owned by West Seattle Christian Church. You’re invited to a party Thursday to come see for yourself! Here’s the announcement:
Join us for our Grand Re-Opening of the Clothesline, our free all-ages clothing bank. There will be tours of the new location, food, games, and friends. We will be celebrating this new space with our neighbors, and would love for you to be there!
Date: Thursday, August 22
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: 4425 41st Ave SW
The Clothesline served 1,660 people last year!
At Alki – or headed there? Until 4:30 pm, you can check out that benefit bake sale, linking students across thousands of miles:
We are part of an organization called Seavuria Girls to Girls.
We have a bake sale fundraiser today on Alki, across the street from the Bathhouse.
Our organization is run completely by high school students and with the help of an advisor. Girls to Girls raises money for educational scholarships in Taita-Taveta, Kenya.
Taita- Taveta is a rural town where the government doesn’t fund education past the 8th grade and most families can’t afford to send their kids to school. We also directly communcate with the students we sponsor.
Our Mission is to use education to establish friendships of global connections, that inspire youth, particularly girls, in the United States and Kenya.
(WSB photo by Leda Costa, September 2018)
You’re invited to end summer by helping ensure the West Seattle Food Bank can keep going strong through fall and winter – tickets (and sponsorships!) are available now for this year’s “A Grand Affair.” The announcement:
Five weeks to go to the West Seattle Food Bank’s 4th annual Roaring ’20s-themed A Grand Affair Cocktail Benefit, Friday evening, September 20th beginning at 6:30 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral.
Bring your friends to this fun benefit that will celebrate the Food Bank’s achievements in helping our neighbors who are in need of food and other services. The evening will be filled with casino-style gaming with a chance to win prizes, hosted wine, beer & hors d’oeuvres, themed cocktails by Peel & Press and The Bridge, Husky Deli’s Jack Miller serving Whiskey Shakes, a photo booth, silent & live auctions, and a chance to give back through Funds for Food.
Dress is cocktail attire but themed costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $75/guest and $85 at the door. Each guest will receive $10,000 worth of gaming chips with each ticket. To be a sponsor, purchase tickets, see our fabulous auction items, or get more A Grand Affair information, go to: westseattlefoodbank.ejoinme.org/AGA
All proceeds will go to providing the 11,500 individuals we serve yearly with nutritious food and other needed services through our shopping style distribution, Mobile Food Bank, Home Delivery, Backpack Program, Baby & Child Corner, Pet Pantry, Bookcase and Community Connections. For more information, or to donate, go to westseattlefoodbank.org.
Community co-sponsors for “A Grand Affair” include WSB; as mentioned above, there’s room for more!
Wondering what to do with the rest of your Sunday afternoon? You’re invited to bring your dog(s) to the lot outside Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) in Morgan Junction for Furry Faces Foundation‘s “Paw-Tee”! Activities include people-assisted paw painting:
Until 4 pm, Hands to Paws Animal Massage is there:
You can browse and bid at the silent auction until 5 pm:
And you can sing! Renowned karaoke host Christopher Mychael is there until 5:30 pm. Full Paw-Tee details are in our calendar listing.
WestSide Baby says this year’s Stuff the Bus diaper drive was bigger than ever and is thanking everyone who helped. They sent the photos and wrap-up:
WestSide Baby STUFFed THE BUS even fuller this year, engaging West Seattle AND other communities around Western King County!
Since WestSide Baby was founded in 2001, diapers, clothing, safety equipment and more have been distributed to a growing number of children each year. Last year, WestSide Baby distributed over $3.5 million worth of basic needs items to families all around western King County, from Auburn to West Seattle to Shoreline.
Each summer, WestSide Baby hosts Seattle’s largest diaper drive, Stuff the Bus and this year the community collected and donated a record high number of diapers – over 403,000! They do this each year because in King County 23% of families are unable to afford diapers and WestSide Baby’s vision is for every child to have the basic items they need to thrive.
“Engaging with our most loyal and long-time donors like many folks in West Seattle while also reaching out to new communities was the best of all possibilities for success. We also began stuffing the bus earlier this year – in May – which allowed us to work with even more schools and daycares before they broke for summer vacation,” shared Nancy Woodland, WestSide Baby Executive Director. “We are thrilled this decision paid off!”
Additionally, WestSide Baby’s focus on defining and engaging community throughout their service area allowed them to engage in meaningful conversation about diaper need and WestSide Baby’s impact on a more relational level. At West Seattle Summer Fest, WestSide Baby and Global Visionaries were the beneficiaries of ticket sales for the kids’ play area, allowing WestSide Baby staff and volunteers to have meaningful conversations with these parents and families in a new way this summer.
By partnering with QFC, WestSide Baby was able to collect over 20,000 diapers in most needed sizes (5 & 6) through community monetary donations at stores throughout the county. QFC was the 2019 presenting sponsor for Stuff the Bus and both West Seattle locations participated with success.
Other stand out Stuff the Bus diaper drives include:
Top Individual Driver: Kaila Lightner—11,731 diapers (1st year hosting a drive!)
Top Business Driver: Fit4Mom West Seattle—1,838 diapers
Top Daycare/School Driver: MightyKidz Daycare—6,340 diapers (1st year hosting a drive!)Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Stuff the Bus!
Though the drive is over, WS Baby still welcomes help year-round – in multiple ways.
The photo and announcement were sent by Randee:
Immigrant Families Together has put a call out to kids for lemonade stands to raise money for immigrant families. The kids at Taproot School are answering that call.
From 3:30 to 5:30 at the Fauntleroy Ferry terminal on August 9th, the families from Taproot School will be selling lemonade with all proceeds going to Immigrant Families Together. We want to not only raise money, but also to raise awareness and to inspire others to have their own stands to raise money for Immigrant Families Together.
Immigrant Families Together is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization working to keep families together by providing bond money for parents, legal services, safe housing, clothing, food, cellphones among other vital services to help families have the best possible chance at receiving asylum.
For more information about how to help immigrant families stay together, hosting your own lemonade stand and to donate directly, please go (here).
(WSB photo: Jen and Theo at last year’s bake sale)
Another West Seattle fundraiser for refugee/immigrant families – Jen Schill and son Theo Schill had a bake sale last year that raised money for the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, and we got word today they’re doing it again tomorrow (Sunday, August 4th). Husband/dad Scott Schill says Theo‘s been baking all day, plus they have some community donations. You’ll find them outside 4146 44th SW, 10 am-1 pm tomorrow.
One week ago, we reported on a burglary at the Senior Center of West Seattle. While police continue to investigate, the nonprofit center has to deal with the costly aftermath – stolen items, damage repair. So the philanthropy group Impact West Seattle is coordinating a community fundraising drive to help. Rachel Lazar explains, “They have been such a supportive partner of Impact West Seattle, hosting our quarterly giving meetings. And we have learned so much about the incredible programs they offer as they are truly a gem in our community.” You can donate by going here!
2:02 PM: Just checked in on yet another event we previewed in today’s highlight list – the #KidsTakeAStand lemonade stand near Lincoln Park, at 46th/Rose. They told us they’d served more than 600 people as of a short time ago (the area of course is full of families today, headed to and from the “Sesame Street” event in the park). It’s part of a nationwide movement raising money to help refugee/immigrant families at the southern border. The stand will be there until about 3 pm.
9:37 PM: Sarah notes in comments that it was actually $600+ when we stopped by (not 600+ people), and by the time they were done, that was up to $1,000+ raised.
Another Saturday preview: Just last summer, West Seattle’s VFW post celebrated its centennial. This year, it’s getting a little community help in sprucing up its headquarters (3601 SW Alaska). The more help, the better, if you can donate some time between 10 am and 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday, July 27th). Besides serving local veterans, the building also hosts community events. Just show up! If you have questions, contact info’s in our calendar listing for the event.
The rendering and announcement are from the neighborhood volunteers in Friends of the Delridge Triangle:
Over the past several months, The Friends of the Delridge Triangle and community members have worked with the contracted landscape architects Makers, to gather and create a community-generated plan to redevelop the Delridge Triangle at 9201 Delridge Ave SW.
We now need your feedback on key design ideas so South Delridge can move forward in the creation of a pocket park that will dramatically increase safety sight-lines as well as encourage children and adults at all levels to accessibility to gather, celebrate and play.
Will you please take the feedback survey? This round of feedback will close on Sunday, July 28th: surveymonkey.com/r/DelridgeTriangle
Community work to create a brighter future with a more-usable Delridge Triangle has been under way for almost three years.
From the WSB inbox, with an eye toward fall:
Have you been wondering how you can give back to the West Seattle community? Have you ever considered becoming a Roots of Empathy Instructor? Alki Elementary is in need of volunteers who are willing to train as Roots of Empathy Instructors in the coming school year. Applications are currently being accepted and training dates are scheduled for October 16th – 18th, 2019.
What is Roots of Empathy? Roots of Empathy is an evidence-based classroom program that fosters empathy in children, now entering its 13th year of partnership with elementary schools in the Seattle area. Alki Elementary has participated in Roots of Empathy since 2013 and they are looking for a few more people who are willing to give time to children and watch them evolve over the school year as they watch “their” baby grow.
Want to see what Roots of Empathy looks like? Click to view a recent BBC World Hacks feature on the Roots of Empathy program. You can learn more about what being an Instructor means here.
Please reach out to Melissa Soltani, local Program Manager, at msoltani@rootsofempathy.org if you’re interested in joining Roots of Empathy in changing the world, child by child.
The West Seattle Helpline‘s clothing bank Clothesline is about to close temporarily for its move and is hoping you (or someone you know) can help:
As the West Seattle Helpline moves the Clothesline to its new location, the Clothesline will be closed July 12th to July 29th. We are also still looking for volunteers to help with the move July 15-18 and 22-25! This would be a great way for those in high school to get their service learning hours as well! If you are interested, please sign up here.
Six days until the start of West Seattle Summer Fest! So many reasons, big and small, that you will want to visit at least once – like this tradition, the annual quilt-raffle fundraiser!. Stina Lane-Cummings from West Seattle Quilters shares the photo and announcement:
If you love bright, modern colors, this year’s West Seattle Quilters’ Raffle Quilt is the quilt for you! Purchase your tickets (still only $1 each) at the 2019 West Seattle Summer Fest (July 12 – 14) outside the Stop ‘N’ Shop. After Summer Fest, tickets will be available at the Senior Center reception desk. Ticket sales go directly to the Senior Center. The drawing for the winning ticket takes place during Rainbow Bingo, September 27, 2019; you don’t need to be present to win.
Titled “Westside Staircase,” this year’s quilt is a striking zig-zag design in vivid batiks against a pale teal background. At 65″ x 80″, it’s a perfect throw for your sofa or bed.
West Seattle Quilters meet at the Senior Center on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 pm to share quilting ideas and projects. Quilters of all ages, abilities, and quilting styles are welcome to join us!
Look for WSQ – and the quilt – on the east side of California just south of Oregon (maybe on your way to/from the main stage and beer garden, which are just north of Oregon). More Summer Fest previews ahead!
Our area’s seabirds – and the people who track them – could use your help. This year’s Puget Sound Seabird Survey includes five West Seattle locations and Seattle Audubon is now recruiting volunteers to be part of it. The announcement:
Are seabirds in the southern Salish Sea increasing or decreasing in numbers? Which species are changing their range? Help us find out. The Puget Sound Seabird Survey (PSSS) is a community science project managed by Seattle Audubon that trains volunteer birdwatchers to gather valuable data on wintering seabird populations across our region.
You can contribute to this vital seabird science by joining the 13th season of this exciting project. We are now recruiting enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. Training on survey methodology will be provided on September 18th in Lincoln Park and at other locations throughout Puget Sound after that date until the first week of October. Volunteers should ideally be able to identify Puget Sound’s seabird species and be available on the first Saturday of each month, October through April. But, if determining between Barrow’s and Common Goldeneye is a challenge, we’ll team you up with more knowledgeable surveyors. To help us determine each volunteer’s seabird identification skills, take our quick, fun Seabird ID Quiz.
Learn more, including training dates, at www.seabirdsurvey.org and email Toby Ross, Senior Science Manager tobyr@seattleaudubon.org, if you would like more information, or to take part.
As noted here back in April, the West Seattle Junction Association is lining the heart of The Junction with Pride flags this weekend. They’ve all been “adopted” by donors. Volunteers will be putting them up Saturday morning, taking them down Saturday night, putting them up again Sunday morning, and taking them down again. You’re welcome to help at the beginning or end of the weekend – meet Saturday morning at 8 am or Sunday at 5 pm; meet at Cupcake Royale on the northeast corner of California/Alaska.
Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network and friends hope you will join them on Saturday:
This coming Saturday morning, June 29th, from 9:30 AM – noon, Seal Sitters, along with Sno-King Marine Mammal Response and SR3, will be sponsoring our annual beach cleanup at Alki. We will be meeting at the Alki Statue of Liberty (61st Ave SW & Alki Ave SW) [ Map ]. There will be a brief introduction by Kate Melges, highlighting her work with Greenpeace on ocean plastics and microfibers.
Supplies will be provided by Seattle Parks & Recreation and Puget Soundkeeper Alliance. For additional details, check this announcement on Seal Sitters’ Blubberblog: Sentinels of the Sound beach cleanup.
While we are requesting an RSVP to ensure we have enough supplies, please feel free to drop by to visit our display tables and help out. RSVP to SealSitters.Outreach (at) msn (dot) com
Hurry! You have until 7 pm to celebrate a Summer Solstice Happy Hour with Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) proprietors John Smersh and Frances Smersh, and their friend, cookbook author Kim O’Donnel:
They’re serving up chocolate beet bundt cake, rhubarb salsa, sangria, and more.
It’s also – as explained here – a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association, a special cause for Click! because Frances is living with young-onset Alzheimer’s. She is an accomplished artist and at tonight’s happy hour, a donation of $25 or more gets you one of these “little pictures” she has created:
Whether you can or can’t get to tonight’s event, here’s how to donate.
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