West Seattle, Washington
08 Monday
Family and friends will gather one month from today to remember Floy Carter, and are sharing this with her community now:
Floy Carter, 97, of Seattle, passed away early on November 1st, 2025, at home with family.
Floy Margene Miller, daughter of Floyd L. and Margaret (Shafer), was born July 3, 1928 in Sioux Falls, SD. She grew up on a farm outside of nearby Colton, where she learned how to milk the cows and ride her pony bareback.
When her older brothers went away to war she helped her dad in the fields. After graduating with the Lyons High School class of ‘46, Floy taught country school and then worked in Sioux Falls. In 1955, she moved to Seattle with a suitcase and enough money for one quarter of college tuition. She found a job in a doctor’s office and enrolled in the University of Washington. There, she met Jerry Carter, a young man studying engineering on the GI Bill. They married in 1958.
After surviving breast cancer in her early thirties, she and Jerry adopted two baby boys. The family moved to Auburn, WA in 1971. Floy took care of her family, house, garden, and cat. She was very active in her church, and supported her boys’ schools and activities. When the boys were older, she worked as the office manager for a nonprofit clinic in Kent until retirement.
In 2000, Floy and Jerry moved to West Seattle to more conveniently dote on their granddaughters. They made many friends at Tibbetts United Methodist Church. After Jerry passed in 2007, their son Ray lived with Floy and helped care for her until his death in 2016. Floy was able to stay in her own home with the support of family, including her granddaughter Katy, who came to live with her during the pandemic. Until nearly the end of her life, she read two to three mystery books every week.
Floy is survived by her son Tim, daughter-in-law Sara, and granddaughters Katy and Janet. She was preceded in death by her brothers Dwight, Burdette, and Harold Miller, her cousin Jeane Reddler (the sister she always wanted), her husband Jerry, and son Ray.
There will be a memorial service at 2 PM Sunday, January 4th, at Tibbetts United Methodist Church, 3940 41st Ave SW. A private burial will be held at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Tibbetts UMC or the Seattle Humane Society.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
(Bloodworks Northwest file photo)
One week from Sunday, not only can you donate to the Hometown Holidays Coat Drive in The Junction – also, if you can donate blood, you can do that too. On Sunday, December 14, the Bloodworks Northwest van will be near California and Alaska for a special Junction drive between 9 am and 3 pm, and more than a dozen appointments are open – go here to sign up.
9:16 AM: Another stalled vehicle on the eastbound bridge, according to police radio, “at the high rise.” There was one a little over an hour ago on the ramp to 99.
9:35 AM: Police report they’ve cleared that scene,
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, December 4, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Rain, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise will be at 7:40 am; sunset will be at 4:18 pm (the earliest sunsets of the season are at 4:17 pm, for a week starting this Sunday).
CLOSURE REMINDER
Friday night into Saturday morning, the Highway 99 tunnel will close completely, both ways, as explained here.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route has three boats until Monday (December 8), when it’ll be down to two boats for about a week. WSF’s alerts page has the details; Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Metro buses – They’re on the regular weekday schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
11:21 PM: After 911 calls about possible gunfire in Highland Park, SPD has found someone who says they were shot at while in their vehicle, which has two bullet holes through the window(s). Police are now looking for the scene where it happened, which was reported to be a few blocks from where they found the victim, possibly near 11th SW and SW Cloverdale. No description yet of the shooters, except that they had guns “with lasers on them.”
11:34 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ve found the scene where the shots were fired – one casing, one bullet so far, just south of SW Cloverdale on 11th.
5 PM THURSDAY: We’ve obtained the report narrative from SPD:
On 12/03/2025, at 2305 hours, uniformed Seattle Police patrol officers responded to the area of 8400 block of 12 Ave SW to investigate a report of several shots heard, called in by multiple callers. Additional information stated there were vehicles heard speeding away.
When officers arrived they conducted an area checked, but did not initially locate a scene and or a victim. Officers received information that a possible victim had fled on a vehicle, southbound on 12 Ave SW, towards SW Henderson St. Officers checked that area and located a victim, with his vehicle, at 15 Ave SW/SW Henderson St. The victim was identified as XXXX X. XXXX-XXXX, and his vehicle a gray 2009 Honda Civic sedan, baring license plate WA XXXXXXX.
XXXX advised officers he was driving north on 11 Ave SW, heading towards SW Cloverdale St, when he encountered several cars parked on the street, with multiple people around the cars. As he drove past the subjects and their vehicles he saw lasers then heard gunshots. He then fled the scene. XXXX reported he was not injured.
Officers inquired if XXXX knew the subjects, and XXXX advised he did not know anyone of the subjects. XXXX also advised he was unable to see what the subjects looked like, and could not provide a description, nor was he able to describe any of the vehicles they were with. XXXX further advised he has no problems with anyone, and does not know why anyone would shoot at him.
When officers spoke to XXXX they observed gunshot damage to his vehicle, consisting of a total of two bullet holes. The rear windshield had taken a hit, with a bullet entry hole to the center right, and the front right passenger’s side got hit, with a bullet entry hole near the front door frame.
Officers responded to the area XXXX said he got shot at, and discovered that the actual scene was inside the driveway of Highland Park Elementary school, located at 1012 SW Trenton St. The scene was not on the street, as XXXX claimed, but in the driveway path of the school, within the school property (on the west side), that came off of 11 Ave SW and was in a north/south direction. Officers found a total of 13 rounds, scattered along the driveway path. There were XXXX casings, XXXX spent XXXX casings and XXX unspent XXXX bullet. Officers search the area of the school but did not find any property damage to the school and or anything else in the surrounding area.
Based on the location of the driveway and the shell casings, relative to the driveway and the damage to XXXX’s windshield, it appeared XXXX’s vehicle was traveling southbound, contradicting his statement that he was driving northbound. The shell casings were scattered from north to south in the driveway, with a concentration of the casings being located along a retaining wall that was located on the west side of the driveway. The retaining wall would’ve made it unlikely that the shooter was standing against that wall, and the driveway also descended in a dip, elevated below the street (11 Ave SW). This indicated the gun was pointing directly to the south when it was fired, and ejecting the shell casings to the west, making them land along the retaining wall.
Officers photographed, collected and submitted the casings into evidence. Officers also photographed the damage to XXXX’s car.
When we talked with Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) administrators earlier this year, they marveled that the kids are so excited to come to school in the morning, they run into the building. You can get a firsthand look at why, when Tilden holds its next open house this Saturday – here’s the announcement:
Tilden School will host its Fall Open House on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m.–noon. Families are invited to drop by anytime during the event to tour the campus, learn more about the school’s academic program and community, and meet faculty, administrators, current parents, and alumni.
Open Houses at Tilden provide families an opportunity to explore the school’s foundational academic principles and discover what makes this independent K–5 school unique!
Those unable to attend this weekend will have an additional opportunity to stop by our final Open House of the season on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–noon. To schedule a private tour, please reach out to the office.
There are select openings for grades 1-5! Applications are available online at tildenschool.org. For more information, contact Jennifer Trise at info@tildenschool.org.
This time of year, Fauntlee Hills is one of West Seattle’s most-sparkling neighborhoods. While it’s early in the season, and you’ll probably see more displays once we’ve had another burst of clearer weather, we noticed some nice displays there already – the one above is near 41st SW and SW Trenton, while the one below is near 40th SW and SW Henderson:
The best access to Fauntlee Hills’ steep streets is turning northbound onto 40th or 41st off SW Barton, across from Fauntleroy Park [vicinity map]. Meantime, we’re amassing reader tips about lights to check out – if you have a suggestion, please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
One of the two West Seattleites helping lead Mayor-elect Katie Wilson‘s transition team will have a major role in her administration too – Brian Surratt has been announced as her deputy mayor. (Just one deputy mayor, unlike outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell, who has four.) Brian Surratt will be Wilson’s second-in-command. Here’s how the announcement describes him and his role:
The Deputy Mayor is responsible for building public will for the Mayor’s key policy priorities.
Brian is a multi-sector executive with 25 years of experience driving economic development and cultivating partnerships across private and public sectors and diverse communities. Currently, Brian is the CEO of Greater Seattle Partners, a private/public partnership focused on attracting new business, promoting international trade, and growing our major industries for the region. Previously, Brian was the Director of the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, where he oversaw small business, workforce, key industry, foreign-direct investment, and anti-displacement programs and strategies, and negotiated the city’s $1.2 billion development agreement to build Climate Pledge Arena. During his time in the Mayor’s Office of Policy and Innovation, Brian served as the policy lead in Seattle’s effort to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
The mayor-elect’s announcement today included six other senior staff members:
Kate Brunette Kreuzer, Chief of Staff
• Jen Chan, Director of Departments
• Seferiana Day Hasegawa, Director of Communications
• Alex Gallo-Brown, Director of Community Relations
• Aly Pennucci, Director of City Budget Office
• Nicole Vallestero Soper, Director of Policy and Innovation
Department-head choices such as Transportation and Parks & Recreation are yet to come.
The man arrested and jailed after gunfire in a West Seattle Junction apartment on Monday is now charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 67-year-old Lottis D. Morgan with second-degree domestic-violence assault. He was taken into custody after the incident in the Alaska House building north of Junction Plaza Park around 10 am Monday. According to the charging documents, he fired a handgun twice at a six-months-pregnant 22-year-old woman to whom he is related – no one was hit – and also threatened to kill others in the apartment. He has a criminal record from the early 2000s, including a previous domestic-violence assault conviction, and the court documents say police have been called twice before regarding incidents involving him and the current victim. He remains in jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
The next West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays event is tomorrow – Shop Late Thursday. Stacie from the Junction Association says, “Santa and his elves will be bouncing around the Junction tomorrow night from 5:30-7:30 talking to guests and handing out candy canes. Plus Better As Brass will be playing in front of Key Bank.” It’ll also be West Seattle Book Club night, with some Junction venues on this month’s list, and after shopping you can see “Penelope” at ArtsWest!
12:46 PM: SPD and SFD are responding to a reported two-car crash, with one “flipped,” in the 4700 block of 38th SW [vicinity map]. No serious injuries reported so far.
12:49 PM: The flipped car’s driver is reported to have run from the scene. Description from police radio: Black male teen, long curly hair, black hoodie and black pants.
1 PM: Added photo (thanks to Sharonn). Police are checking out damage to parked cars the driver may have hit.
11:10 AM: Thanks for the tip. SFD has three units at the scene of a natural-gas leak in the 4000 block of 42nd SW [vicinity map] and are calling for police to block 42nd between Andover and Dakota. The leaking line was described over emergency radio as “nickel-sized.” They’re evacuating neighboring homes as a precaution.
11:27 AM: Puget Sound Energy has stopped the leak, so SFD and SPD are clearing, and 42nd will reopen.
We’ve heard this morning from the owners of both Alki Coffee Co. and neighboring West Seattle Arcade (2700 block of Alki Avenue SW), about burglars breaking into – or trying to break into – their businesses early today:
ALKI COFFEE CO.: This is the third break-in in five months, notes Alki Coffee Co. co-proprietor Jonathan Stebbins, who sent two video clips, the first showing the burglars taking just 40 seconds to get in:
I am unfortunately reaching out once again to let you know of another break-in at our shop down on Alki. Happened this morning around 3:45/3:50 am. From the camera footage this definitely looks like the same two guys that broke in back in mid-July. Hard to tell if was the same from the October break-in. The two today use some kind of tool to pop the lock out on the front door (as you can see in the video above). They drive a blue/purple 4-door hatchback with black rims. The shorter guy looks to be wearing a blue Carhartt hoodie with orange lettering down the sleeve that says Carhartt. The taller guy has a black and gray coat with a green hoodie underneath and black and blue sneakers with blue laces (possibly Nike).
Fortunately having gone cashless after the last break-in, they did not get any cash, but the did take an iPad that we use for music, etc. (second clip) Not sure at this point what can be done but would love for anyone who might be able to identify these two to reach out to the Southwest Precinct (206-733-9800) with any info. Our case number is 2025-353695
.
WEST SEATTLE ARCADE: Before hitting Alki Coffee, the burglars tried to get into West Seattle Arcade next door. Proprietors Elyssa and Matt Cichy sent word on that, also including video:
Just wanted to alert the neighborhood that we had another attempted break-in at the arcade. Looks like they moved on and successfully broke into Alki Coffee after failing to crowbar our doors open.
Here’s our coverage of past incidents:
Alki Coffee/Ben & Jerry’s break-ins – October and July
West Seattle Arcade burglary attempt – July
Orcas are “milling” off Duwamish Head right now. That’s the word from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see them!
(Photo by Mike Burns)
Here’s our Wednesday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide (and if we’re missing something – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!):
FAUNTLEROY FESTIVAL OF TREES: Until noon, the Fauntleroy Church hall is open for viewing this year’s trees and “voting” for your favorite by placing nonperishable food donations beneath it. (9140 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE ROTARY FESTIVAL OF MINI-TREES: Second-to-last day to visit the mini-trees at Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW) until 5 pm, before they’re silent-auctioned Thursday night.
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE: Drop donations of warm clothing in the bin at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (3435 California SW; WSB sponsor), 9 am-5 pm weekdays.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fauntleroy (this is our weekly last-minute reminder, so would-be walkers can be there next Wednesday morning!).
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SSC FOOD TRUCK: South Seattle College culinary students are selling pastries from the truck again today, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, near the campus Clock Tower. (6000 16th SW)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, play at the newly reopened Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), drop-in help for students.
HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKET: Shop this market with more than a dozen vendors at the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 4-9 pm.
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
CRIBBAGE NIGHT: Play at Delridge Community Center! Dinner provided, prizes up for grabs. 5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix your broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: 6 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) – this month’s book is “The Demolished Man.”
WREATH-MAKING CLASS AT ALAIR: 6 pm – book your spot here. (3270 California SW)
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm, drop in and create! If you want some inspiration, this month’s spotlight project, if you don’t have is a trio of personalized holiday-tree ornaments. (3400 Harbor SW)
PIANO NIGHT: 6-9 pm monthly music at Upwell Wine and Coffee (4811 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: You’re invited to this 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Get moving in the middle of the week – the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) is tonight – all welcome, regardless what pace you run at!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
KUNDALINI YOGA: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
TRIVIA x 5: We have five West Seattle trivia spots on our Wednesday list: at Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), 7 pm, free to play … 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night also starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, it’s trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar (and Holiday Guide too, if it’s seasonal)! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Never mind that winter hasn’t officially started yet. Here’s a sign of spring: Registration has begun for some youth sports! This week we heard from Southwest Little League, which just started signing up players for 2026, for baseball from T-ball age all the way up to teens, and for softball too. Here’s where to start; note there’s a geographic eligibility component – SWLL serves most of West Seattle as well as White Center and South Park.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today: Mostly cloudy, chance of rain, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 7:39 am; sunset will be at 4:18 pm (only one minute away from the earliest sunsets of the season, 4:17 pm December 7-13).
CLOSURES
-The Highway 99 tunnel will have lane closures again tonight:
Wednesday night: From 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, to 5 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, the Sixth Avenue North on-ramp to southbound SR 99 will close.
Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will use this closure to remove existing vegetation for later replanting.
-Then Friday night into Saturday morning, the tunnel will close completely, both ways, as explained here.
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is back to three boats (until Monday, December 8). WSF’s alerts page has the details; Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Metro buses – They’re on the regular weekday schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, maritime-opening info is again available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
9:04 PM: After 911 calls from people who suspected they’d heard gunfire, police have confirmed it. They say one caller, in the 8400 block of 18th SW, reports a bullet went through a window at their home. An officer told dispatch that the angle suggests the gunfire came from a block or so south. No injuries reported.
9:42 PM: They’ve also just reported finding casings in the 8100 block of 18th.
Two Highway 99 tunnel notes tonight:
NEXT CLOSURE DATE SET: Friday night into Saturday morning, the tunnel will close both ways for maintenance and repair work. From WSDOT’s announcement:
Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will start closing northbound and southbound lanes at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, with the tunnel fully closed by 10 p.m. People going south on SR 99 will need to take the Harrison Street off-ramp, while northbound SR 99 travelers must exit at Alaskan Way. The Sixth Avenue and Royal Brougham Way on-ramps also will close at 9 p.m.
Crews will perform several important tasks during the closure, including:
-Testing fire suppression systems
-Cleaning and marking drains
-Fixing lights
HIGHER TOLLS DURING WORLD CUP? Tolls for the tunnel and other state roads/bridges, as well as ferries, are set by the state Transportation Commission, and the Legislature told the commission to consider temporarily increasing tunnel tolls during this summer’s FIFA World Cup soccer games in Seattle. After a discussion in October (here’s the slide deck with details), they now have to decide whether to formally consider it. So this is part of an agenda item about tunnel toll revenue at the commission’s next meeting, one week from today. You can see the agenda here (with a link for feedback); it includes links for how to participate. The agenda item is set for 3:30 pm on Tuesday (December 9).
The photo was sent by Arlene, who says someone abandoned this bicycle near her Arbor Heights home:
If you recognize it, please contact us and we’ll connect you.
If you’re a runner who’s interested in lots of in-depth analysis about your health and how your body works, this could be for you. West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is offering a “sweat-testing” session later this month – here’s the announcement:
Schedule of Events – Saturday, December 13th:
7:50 am: Arrive West Seattle Runner
7:55 am: Pre-Run Weigh-In
8:00 am-9:00 am: West Seattle Runner Group Run
9:00 am-10:00 am: Post-Run Weigh-In and Sweat Analysis
9:30 am-10:00 am: Presentation
Register here. THIS IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 12 PEOPLE WHO REGISTER!
Should You Take a Sweat Test?: youtube.com/watch?v=nUwcOfPTcrM
Learn more about the process and rationale: soundtrainingandracing.com/sweat-test
West Seattle Runner is in The Admiral District at 2743 California SW.
(WSB photo, 2024)
Saturday night (December 6) is approaching – the night when the lights will start shining on the West Seattle Junction Christmas tree in Junction Plaza Park, during a four-hour festival. SW Alaska will be closed east of California for the Night Market, which starts at 4 pm – here’s how the rest of the night rolls out, mostly on the stage, which will again be in the park:
4:30 PM – Endolyne Children’s Choir
5:00 PM – West Seattle School of Rock
5:30 PM – Pet Costume Contest (top prize worth $100!)
5:45 PM – Metropolitan Singers (carolers)
6:00 PM – Tree Lighting (with carolers)
6:15 PM – Holiday DJ spinning tunes
8:00 PM – Night Market closes
The Junction has published the list of vendors – more than 20 – see it here. And it’ll all happen regardless of the weather. See you in The Junction – where Hometown Holidays gets going two nights earlier, with Shop Late Thursday (December 4).
That’s the Giving Tree on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, and it’s one of two opportunities we’re spotlighting today to support SSC students this season, along with four other local youth/school support options for you to consider on this Giving Tuesday. First, from SSC:
Giving Tree for Student Families
Through Dec. 10, South Seattle College’s Human Resources Office is hosting a Giving Tree to support students and their families this holiday season. Community members are invited to select a child’s wish tag from the tree in the Robert Smith Building and return unwrapped gifts with the tag by December 10. Students will receive their gifts during finals week (Dec. 15-19).
In addition to selecting gifts for a child, donations of new, unused unwrapped toys, toiletries (such as shampoo, conditioner, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and hair-care items), and gift-wrapping supplies (new or gently used wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, greeting cards, and unused gift tags) are welcomed.
If you would like to help out, please visit South Seattle Colleges Human Resources Office, located in the Robert Smith Building (RSB) on main campus in West Seattle. You can select gifts for a child from the Giving Tree and drop off miscellaneous gifts, toiletries and wrapping supplies. A red a-frame sign directs visitors to the HR Office from the RSB Courtyard. Please view the South Seattle College main campus map and Robert Smith Building detail map for more details. Questions? HR.South@seattlecolleges.edu.
Food Pantry Donations
South Seattle College food pantries provide a vital service to our students. In recent years, over 50% of South students have reported food insecurity due to rising grocery costs and other barriers. We operate food pantries at main campus in West Seattle and at our Georgetown campus to provide students with shelf-stable groceries, fresh food items, toiletries and diapers. Two links for donations:
Main Campus Food Pantry Fundraising Site
Georgetown Campus Food Pantry Fundraising Site
Four more opportunities to support local students:
West Seattle High School Mock Trial Team – This new student-founded team has to raise $900 for the fee to enter competition. Not familiar with Mock Trial? Here’s how the team’s founder, WSHS sophomore Zoe Bryant, describes it:
Mock Trial is an in-school program where students prepare and present a legal case as attorneys, witnesses, and courtroom staff such as bailiff. It teaches public speaking, critical and quick thinking, teamwork, and confidence while giving students real exposure to the justice system! … We want to give the team an equal chance to compete and participate regardless of any financial barriers! This is why we need your support!
You can help them get into the competition in February by donating here.
Chief Sealth Basketball ‘Play It Forward’ – Not only are you giving, but so are the beneficiaries of this unique fundraiser for Chief Sealth International High School‘s basketball programs, which are just starting their seasons. We featured “Play It Forward” in mid-November; they’re up to two-thirds of their goal, and asked for a Giving Tuesday reminder. (Here’s the direct donation link.)
Skunk Works Robotics – Also gearing up for its next season is this team with many local members:
Skunk Works Robotics Team 1983 is gearing up for the 2026 FIRST Robotics season! We’re already spending tons of hours working on designing, wiring, and coding for our next competitive robot, and we’re picking up some seriously cool engineering, electrical and business skills while we’re at it. Your donation today directly funds the awesome hardware and tools we need to make the magic happen!
Skunk Works Robotics, which is a 4-H community team, has provided hands-on STEM education to local students for over 19 years, regardless of their financial situation. Volunteer mentors and coaches have helped the team achieve a 100% college acceptance rate and pave the way for successful STEM careers.
Donate Today: skunkworks1983.com/donate
Fairmount Park PTA – We’ve spotlighted several elementary school PTA/PTSA/PTO campaigns lately but not yet this one, which is in its final week:
Fairmount Park PTA Blue Envelope Direct Give – supporting:
Additional Math and Reading Support Staff
Instrumental Music Program
Art, Music, PE and Library Programs
Classroom Teachers Grants
Food Support Program
Assemblies and School Events
Afterschool Enrichment
Again, we mention opportunities for community support frequently, and everyone who’s benefited is thankful for community support – even if you can’t donate, learning and knowing about what’s happening with your neighbors is priceless too. You can see the latest stories we’ve published any time by scrolling through our “How to Help” category archive.
A few days ago, we noticed “no parking” signs up on SW Barton for today through Thursday, both sides of 16th SW, in an area known for RV camping. The city info-flyer attached to some of the signs listed the purpose as “remediation” – cleanup – as part of the Clean City program. On the day we saw the signs, RVs had already cleared out of the west block, but were still in view on the east side. So we went by to check this morning; no RVs in sight on either block, but city Parking Enforcement officers were there (above), and while we were there, a flatbed tow truck arrived, apparently for the livestock trailer left east of 16th:
We’re following up with the city’s Unified Care Team.
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