How to help 4403 results

That’s the Gilbert family with Evelyn, when she joined them March 6, 2011, as their first puppy with West Seattle See Dogs, which trains future guide dogs. Ruth Oldham of WSSD shares their story as the group welcomes new puppy-raisers – including news that Evelyn has graduated!

“There is nothing as fulfilling as meeting your now guide dog’s partner at graduation and learning what your gift of love for a puppy and time commitment means to them,” Ruth explains. Evelyn went to the Guide Dogs For The Blind’s campus in Boring, Oregon, back in May, “sped through her phases,” as Ruth describes it, and graduated on August 25th. In the photo, she says, Evelyn “guides her new partner, Allen Scarbrough, over a curb, demonstrating her prowess to her former raisers. She actually stopped with one paw on the curb, and waited for Allen to respond. Allen can feel the raised paw through the harness.” Want to join the group making moments like that – and lifetimes beyond it – happen?

Ruth says, “You too can be part of this experience. West Seattle See Dogs is actively looking for new raisers to become part of our team. Our volunteers are all working toward improving the quality of life for people who are blind. Come to our meeting on Tuesday, September 11th, at 6:30 pm at The Kenney and learn what’s involved…….we need you!”

New call for help: Raising West Seattle Junction flags on 9/11, 9/16

September 9, 2012 12:46 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Southwest Precinct police helped on the 4th of July (WSB coverage here) – can you help on 9/11 and on West Seattle Junction Car Show day a week from today? Don from The Junction (in our 7/4/12 photo above, with officers) needs some flag-placement assistants those days, and beyond. Here’s the official call for help from the West Seattle Junction Association:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP PUT UP FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION!

The Junction Association puts up flags on all appropriate occasions. The Junction’s handy-man Don has been putting up flags for years, but health issues have made repeated trips up and down the stairs increasingly difficult for him.

So, who wants to help Don on the 11th and 16th of September?!

The volunteer job includes meeting him at 7:30 am to put them out, and 6pm to put them away. The job includes lots of stair walking since the flags are stored in the basement of the Cupcake Royale building.

We are looking to create a list of interested people, so if you’d like to be called upon for these two days in September or in the future, please e-mail Liz Schroeder at liz@wsjunction.org or call 935-0904.

Play golf, help kids! Tournament at West Seattle Golf Course

September 6, 2012 4:49 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Just received from Seattle Parks – news of a fundraising tournament at West Seattle Golf Course September 22nd, to help make sure more kids can afford Parks’ programs – read on for the announcement:Read More

Baking for a cure: Heritage Pumpkin Pie Project update

September 6, 2012 2:17 pm

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| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

If you’re interested in supporting a good cause with a good pie for Thanksgiving – you might want to make plans to pre-order one of Diane Niemi‘s Heritage Pumpkin Pies next week. We photographed her at the West Seattle Eagles‘ Junction headquarters yesterday afternoon during the first of her planned weekly order-taking sessions – and she says she only has 23 10-inch-pie pre-orders left to sell (though an ample supply remains for the 5-inch pie pre-orders). As noted in the calendar listing, Diane is making the pies to raise money for Alzheimer’s/dementia research, in honor of her 90-year-old mom, who taught her the pie recipe – which originated with Diane’s great-grandmother. She’ll be back at the Eagles’ HQ next Wednesday (September 12), 2-8 pm.

Life-saving cookstoves: Burn Design Lab founder @ West Seattle Rotary

September 4, 2012 8:24 pm

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| How to help | Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Dave Nichols)
“An astounding 2.5 billion people around the world still use crude open fires fueled by coal, wood and charcoal to cook meals,” says Vashon-based Burn Design Lab. Reducing that number, they add, will save people’s lives (as well as reduce deforestation). So they’re working on cook-stove technology. BDL founder Peter Scott is in the photo above, speaking today to the Rotary Club of West Seattle about the organization and its work.

Happening now: Blood drive at Southwest Precinct

September 4, 2012 2:21 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Somebody out there needs blood … and in order for them to get it, somebody needs to donate it. If you’re able to do that before 4 pm today, that’s how much longer the Puget Sound Blood Center bloodmobile will be outside the Southwest Precinct at Delridge/Webster. We previewed the drive here last week.

West Seattle’s police precinct to host special blood drive Tuesday

August 31, 2012 11:01 am

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| Health | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Holiday weekends are often a perilous time for blood supply – more need, fewer donations. Right after the Labor Day weekend, a one-day drive is planned here in West Seattle, just announced by Seattle Police Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen:

On Tuesday, September 4th, 2012, we will be having a blood drive at the SW Precinct. The Puget Sound Blood Center will be stationed in our parking lot.

We are partnering with King County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Justice, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim community as a commemoration to honor the victims of 9/11.

The blood drive will be between 10 am and 4 pm. … The donation of blood is something we all can do that is positive as well as its impact in saving lives for all people. We invite our entire West Seattle community to stop by and give a pint!

The precinct is on SW Webster at Delridge Way SW – here’s a map.

Alki Beach 5K: Feet to the street to help breast-cancer patients

August 26, 2012 9:35 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Video of everyone as they started the 5K, first through last person across the line)
FIRST REPORT, 9:35 AM: Half an hour after they began, the runners and walkers are continuing to cross the line at the Alki Beach 5K, raising money for Northwest Hope and Healing, the West Seattleite-led nonprofit that helps breast-cancer patients.

Unofficial first results: Kelly Spady (photo above) was first male runner across the line, Karra Whitmire the first female:

Spectacular morning to run and/or walk along the beach. Video, more photos, and more results to come.

9:45 AM UPDATE: And now the official info on the top two F and top two M, from the timing booth:
*Females: 34-year-old Karra Whitmire of Bothell in 20:34 (chip time), 30-year-old Rebecca Martin of Seattle (21:09)
*Males: 25-year-old Kelly Spady of Mukilteo in 17:12, 17-year-old Jack Griffing of Mountlake Terrace (18:13)

Jack is #838, right in front in this photo shared by Alki’s David Hutchinson:

Almost 1,000 people were signed up as of just before race time – we’ll check back with NWHH. We’ll also be adding video from the start of the race (our traditional “all participants as they head out” clip), including what the special inspirational guest speaker, survivor Tami Hyldahl-Haan, told the runners/walkers just before the start. (Photo added) Here’s Tami, with, at left, race emcee Eric Radovich:

(video added) Tami spoke of the help she received from NWHH after she was diagnosed shortly after she was widowed:

Note: There were two medical calls before the end of the race – one in the 2800 block of Alki, one in the 1700 block. Police told us the person in the 1700 block collapsed with a possible heart attack; race organizers confirm they got word it’s someone who was registered as a walker. We don’t have any condition information so far.

ADDED 12:25 PM: Yet more scenes, as we go through our photos – Before the race, its eventual winner, Kelly Spady, was up atop the Statue of Liberty Plaza steps leading the stretch with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell (for whom Kelly works, we noted when he won the West Seattle 5K in May):

Here’s the crowd they were leading:

Once all of today’s results are available online, looks like this will be the link.

5:07 PM UPDATE: They’re up now.

Something to shred? West Seattle benefit on Saturday

August 21, 2012 9:02 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

If you’ve been saving up documents to shred – your next chance to get it handled is coming up this weekend, and it’s a fundraiser, too. Barb Charbonneaux is hosting a shredding event in the lot outside Implant Dentistry of Washington, 3720 California SW, this Saturday, 9 am-noon – that’s across the street from her office. She says it’s a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, with a $10 donation “per banker-size box. There will also be bagels, juice and other treats available for a donation. All proceeds go to LLS.”

Have blood, need parking: Got a spot for a Puget Sound Blood Center bus?

August 21, 2012 1:33 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

Krista Fink from Puget Sound Blood Center is hoping you can help them solve a problem – with lives in the balance – someplace for them to park their donation-drive bus. Her e-mail to us tells the story:

In the beginning of September, on Tuesday, September 4th, we have two mobile units that are still open that I need to fill and I just can’t find a location for them. I am hoping that maybe you will put something on your blog and maybe someone will see it and think “hey maybe my church can host a blood drive” or a business, youth group, etc. If we can’t find these mobile teams a ‘home’- a place to go, set up, and serve willing blood donors, then we will be missing out on over 80 donations. Because each blood donation saves 3 lives, those donations would save the lives of up to 240 local patients.

Please allow me to explain. We have a large number of donors in West Seattle. However, we have very few blood drives. Aside from the bi-annual high school blood drives at WSHS, we have a bus that comes to Westwood Village and one that comes to Jefferson Square every month and twice yearly we have a little bus at PCC. I’m looking for groups that might like to host blood drives so that we can provide more convenient opportunities for all of our wonderful West Seattle donors to donate at. Here at PSBC, we don’t necessarily create community- we are a part of it, and we operate for it, but we rely on other communities- groups of people who are already connected together in some way or another- who will support us. Blood Drives are wonderful ways to bring communities together- you never know who receives the blood and it could be your neighbor, your friend, your coworker, or the mysterious woman, a stranger, who is always in the same line as you at the coffee shop.

We have 17 mobile units (teams that go to various locations for mobile blood drives) that need to be scheduled for a blood drive every day in order to simply have the opportunity to collect enough blood to meet the needs of our inventory and provide a stable supply of blood for the community’s needs. Summer is tough- it is full of cancellations and a lack of donations as people are on vacation, the heat, people are busy, etc.

Specifically, we have a big bus and a big inside mobile team. The big inside mobile team requires a space of at least 900 square feet, three electrical outlets, good lighting and restroom access. The bus requires a flat surface and approx. 70 feet of parking lengthways as well as nearby restroom access.

Like I said, blood drives do create value for those who organize them, and the donors themselves. It’s an investment back into the community. There are already so many wonderful, dedicated blood donors in the area and I’m hoping someone can help!

(added) Krista’s office number is 425.462.4384 – her e-mail is KristaF@psbc.org.

How many bicyclists and pedestrians are out there? Help count!

August 21, 2012 10:47 am

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| How to help | Transportation | West Seattle news

A call for volunteers in communities including Seattle has just gone out, one month in advance of a statewide count of bicyclists and pedestrians. The goal, according to an announcement on the WSDOT site, is “to benchmark the numbers of people bicycling and walking on paths, bike lanes, sidewalks, and other facilities across the state on September 25th, September 26th and September 27th.” Find out more – and sign up to help – by going here.

Be there! Next Sunday’s Alki Beach 5K helps breast-cancer patients

August 19, 2012 2:52 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(August 2010 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Next Sunday morning (August 26th), Alki Avenue SW closes for a few hours so more than a thousand people can help send a message of hope via Northwest Hope and Healing. NWHH’s annual Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run raises money for the organization’s work, which includes healing baskets for newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients and an emergency fund for women dealing with breast or gynecologic cancer. This year’s kickoff speaker is a survivor who knows what it’s like to need that kind of resource – NWHH says Tami Hyldahl-Haan “became a widow and a breast cancer survivor as well as a single mother without a source of income” within a short period of time last year, and the NWHH Patient Assistance Fund helped her “get through a couple of rough months.” The 5K starts and ends at Alki Bathhouse; register online now, or at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; California/Charlestown), or starting at 8 am on race day.

In The Junction now: Sophia’s Lemonade Stand, River Farm at Farmers’ Market

August 19, 2012 12:51 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

(SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Family friend Aaron says Sophia’s stand raised more than $1,500!)

12:51 PM: Went to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market to check in on two benefits we’ve mentioned in recent days – and found both very busy! Above, Sophia’s Lemonade Stand outside KeyBank at California/Alaska, with lemonade and Bakery Nouveau treats, available by donation to help 7-year-old cancer patient Sophia Thompson and her family. (More about their story here – including a link to donate if you can’t get to the stand before 2 pm.) And inside the market itself, long lines for River Farm Organic Produce – you can’t miss the yellow-topped tent:

As reported here on Friday, a family friend e-mailed to make sure everyone knew this Central Washington farming family had lost a home in the big Taylor Bridge Fire – but they made it to the market and, since the farm itself was spared, have lots of vegetables to sell. The market continues, as usual, till 2 pm.

Fundraiser on Sunday for 7-year-old girl fighting cancer

August 15, 2012 4:23 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

7-year-old Sophia Thompson is fighting a rare form of soft-tissue cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma – so rare that only 350 cases are diagnosed each year. That means big medical bills, as little Sophia goes through chemo and deals with a feeding tube to help keep her from losing too much weight. Her classmates at West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor) are hoping you will help them help Sophia and her family – by buying lemonade from them at their fundraising stand outside the West Seattle Farmers’ Market this Sunday, 10 am-2 pm. You can find out more about Sophia – and make a donation now – at gofundme.com/sophia. There’s also a benefit at 7 pm August 25th at Bison Creek Pizza in Burien, 630 SW 153rd, with raffles and music, plus of course pizza. But first – lemonade this Sunday!

West Seattle wildlife: Keep watch for seal pups – especially Casey

August 12, 2012 5:13 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Somewhere on a West Seattle beach in the next few days, someone may again encounter Casey the pup, who was guarded by Seal Sitters volunteers today, and if you see Casey – or another pup – they want to be sure you call their hotline, 206-905-SEAL. Robin Lindsey tells Casey’s story:

Seal Sitters watched over a too-thin pup at Lincoln Park today, the pup returning to the water about 12:30 with the incoming tide. We anticipate that the pup will show up today or tomorrow on another beach or possibly again at the Park. This is an extremely challenging time for seal pups, either newly weaned and struggling or, occasionally, still nursing. The pup we had just a few weeks ago, Georgie, was definitely a nursing age pup and only perhaps a day or so old. We were not able to determine approximate age on today’s pup, nicknamed Casey, because we never got a look at the teeth via a yawn. The number of erupted teeth would let us know at least for sure if the pup was weaned.

We can’t thank Betsy and Judy enough for calling the hotline and keeping the pup safe until we arrived. Apparently there were a couple of off leash dogs near the pup when he was discovered. I know we say it over and over again, but dogs are a tremendous danger to weak and vulnerable seal pups – just within the past couple of weeks an off leash dog killed a pup on one of the area’s islands.

This is the beginning of the high season when pups will visit the shores of South Puget Sound beaches. September and October are typically our busiest months with weaned pups seeking sanctuary on shore. Our motto is “Share the Shore” – we hope West Seattle people will do so and give these little pups a slightly better chance of survival than the 50 percent norm. Seal Sitters MMSN so appreciates the support of our community!

You can find Casey’s story, and much more, on the Seal Sitters’ blubberblog.

ADDED: One more thing Seal Sitters hope you will keep in mind – There are spots around the sound where the pups are being born, and they too need to be respected and protected; boats and other watercraft can wreak a lot of havoc in these spots (which aren’t in West Seattle, but you or someone you know may use those waters). Read about that here.

Happening now: Bike-donation drive with Alaffia at PCC West Seattle

August 12, 2012 1:35 pm

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| How to help | Transportation | West Seattle news

If you’re taking a bicycle to PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) before 3 pm for the donation drive collecting bikes and parts for Togo, West Africa, say hello to Olowo-n’djo Tchala, founder and managing director of Alaffia Sustainable Skin Care. His company works with two cooperatives in Togo, generating fair-trade shea butter and coconut oil for their Thurston County-produced products. Alaffia has been collecting bikes since 2004 to help kids in Togo who otherwise have no way to get to school aside from hours of walking.

Two for Sunday: Bicycle donations; CityDog’s cover-dog search

August 11, 2012 10:56 pm

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| How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

Two quick previews for Sunday – both special events at local grocery stores – from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

BICYCLE DONATIONS: Have a bicycle and/or bicycle parts you don’t need? PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is collecting them on Sunday, 10 am-3 pm, for people in Togo. More info here.

CITYDOG MAGAZINE COVER-DOG SEARCH: West Seattle-founded CityDog Magazine is once again looking for a cover dog via a series of photo shoots around Seattle, and Sunday is the annual visit to West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), noon-3 pm. $10 fee goes to the Doney Memorial Pet Clinic.

One week till Delridge Day: Last call for volunteers!

August 11, 2012 9:46 am

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| Delridge | How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Just as another fun-filled weekend is beginning – take a minute to check your schedule for next weekend, to and see if you can spare a few hours to help make the sixth annual Delridge Day festival happen one week from today at Delridge Community Center/Park. Organizers are circulating one last call for volunteers; they’re all volunteers too – including members of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, which took over the festival last year when previous organizers were unable to keep it going. Next Saturday’s fun, 11 am-3 pm, includes the Alki Bike and Board (WSB sponsor) skate contest, live music, food trucks, and a kids’ zone (co-sponsored by WSB), and dozens of vendors. All they need now is some more help for setup and cleanup – 8:30-10:30 am and/or 3-4:30 pm – if you can help with either, please e-mail Tanya ASAP, ocean_bee@hotmail.com. See you there!

Invest in Youth: Students at Roxhill (and elsewhere) need you

August 9, 2012 11:26 am

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news

One hour, once a week. If you can spare that small amount of time, you can make a big difference for students at schools including West Seattle’s Roxhill Elementary! Mona Delgado e-mailed to let us know about this request:

Here’s your opportunity to give back. For one hour, just once a week on your way home from work, you can go into a nearby Seattle grade school and tutor a child who needs a little extra help with his or her studies. Invest in Youth is looking for additional tutors for the 2012-2013 school year.

Participating in Invest in Youth requires a tutoring commitment of one hour per week (with several holidays) for the duration of the school year. Upon joining the program, you will be paired with an elementary school student in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade and work with that same student for the entire year, getting to know their strengths and weaknesses while tracking their progress from week to week. It is an extremely rewarding experience for both students and their tutors!

In 2012 we will be working with the following schools:

· Tuesdays, Beacon Hill International School (2025 14th Ave S.), 3:15-4:15pm
· NEW! Tuesdays, Roxhill Elementary School (9430 30th Ave SW), 3:45-4:45pm
· Wednesdays, Daniel Bagley Elementary School (7821 Stone Ave. N.), 3:45-4:45pm
· Thursdays, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (2401 S. Irving), 3:50-4:50pm

Orientation sessions for new tutors will take place the week of September 24th with tutoring beginning the week of October 1st and lasting through June 2013.

To find more and to register, please visit www.investinyouth.org/get-involved/become-a-tutor/

Happening now: Firefighters’ first round of ‘Fill the Boot’

August 7, 2012 4:00 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Admiral/California is one of five West Seattle intersections where firefighters were scheduled to start this year’s round of “Fill the Boot” collections for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, till 6 pm today, and again 2-6 pm tomorrow. There with Engine 29, we found Mike Bastrom (above) and John Cizin (below):

Engine 29 is based at North Admiral’s Station 29, one of the city’s five West Seattle fire stations Also look for “Fill the Boot” firefighters at California/Alaska, California/Fauntleroy, Delridge/Orchard, Harbor/Spokane, and if you’re in South Park, at 14th/Cloverdale (but keep in mind that the schedule is subject to last-minute change).

West Seattle scene: City Fruit harvest helper, with an audience

August 6, 2012 6:24 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Before the season’s over, we wanted to remind you again that City Fruit is harvesting fruit from trees in West Seattle this summer – like the one in the Arbor Heights backyard whose owner shared the picture of Dusty‘s recent visit. As noted here a month ago, City Fruit will harvest extra fruit for donation to local food banks and meal programs; if you’re willing to share unsprayed, healthy fruit from your tree(s), contact them at westseattle@cityfruit.org.

Happening now: White Center Food Bank open house, for the birds

August 4, 2012 11:59 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Don’t be chicken! You too can make friends with the fabulous fowls of the White Center Food Bank. Both named Henrietta. That’s Linda, in our photo, with one of the Henriettas. They’re both meeting visitors right now during the WC Food Bank’s summer open house – and they’re the inspiration for a program that you can be part of, to provide fresh eggs to more of WCFB’s clients (who are in West Seattle as well as WC). Till 2 pm, you can meet the H’s, tour the demonstration gardens, and get to know some cool people, at 10829 8th SW.

Watch next week for firefighters looking to ‘Fill the Boot’

August 3, 2012 2:48 pm

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| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of SFD Lt. Sue Stangl with Engine 29 during July 2011 “Fill the Boot”)
The annual firefighters’ fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association starts with teams at intersections around the city 2-6 pm next Tuesday-Wednesday (and again during two days in September). The planned intersections in West Seattle are:

*Delridge Way SW/ SW Orchard St
*California/Admiral
*California/Alaska
*Harbor/Spokane
*California/Fauntleroy

More background info from today’s announcement, ahead:Read More