West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
We’ve been sharing news of many ways to help others this holiday season – and West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) has a very up-close-and-personal drive going on:
West Seattle Runner has adopted a family for the gift giving season. We are helping a family with 3 children and a single mom have a nice holiday. We have a wish list, and if you are interested in donating gifts to help give our family the items they are in need of, please email lori@westseattlerunner.com for what still needs to be purchased. We thank you for your consideration!! The gifts are due at West Seattle Runner by December 15th at 6pm so we can drive it out to the organizer that night after work.
The shop is at 2743 California SW. See our full list of holiday giving opportunities in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!
Many opportunities to give this holiday season – but usually just one asking for homemade Christmas cookies! The Christmas People just sent the announcement asking for cookies again this year; we’re sharing it so bakers can plan ahead:
The Christmas People are once again asking for home-baked cookies for distribution to homeless and other marginalized people in our midst.
Home baked cookies may be brought to West Seattle Coworking, 9030 35th Ave SW, Friday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Cookies may also be dropped off at Artisan Community Kitchen, 10836 E. Marginal Way, S, Tukwila 98168 during the same hours as above.
The Christmas People also need volunteers for food prep and delivery to shelters. Contact Rev. Fred Hutchinson, cofounder, at 206-719-4979 or pialley@jps.net.
Here’s an explanation of what The Christmas People are all about.
5:59 PM: That’s the view from the loft at Kenyon Hall, where a night of music to benefit Westside Neighbors Network Shelter is under way. Four musical acts are scheduled to perform before the event ends at 8 pm, including Michael Pearsall of Pearsall Properties, which organized the event. (We’ll add video of him a bit later.) The shelter – located in the West Seattle Veteran Center – runs entirely on donations and volunteers, and it’s the only emergency shelter in West Seattle. If you didn’t or couldn’t get a ticket to tonight’s concert, you also can donate to the shelter by going here.
8:10 PM: Here’s the video we promised:
Also of note – local businesses donated raffle prizes to sweeten the deal for attendees:
Find out more about the shelter by going here.
11:16 AM: Above are the Caudles – Atticus, Leah, Dominic, and Tim. For the fourth year, they’re collecting food and coats for the West Seattle Food Bank and Westside Interfaith Network, in a drive-up/ride-up one-day event. Until 3 pm, all you have to do is roll on into the lot behind Hope Lutheran, off SW Oregon just east of 42nd SW, and they’ll happily unload your donation(s). As our daily list shows, plenty of other holiday happenings are in progress in The Junction, so if you’re going that way anyway, check your cupboard and closet to see what you can spare! (Or if you live nearby, just walk it on over.)
5 PM: If you missed the Caudles’ drive, see the list of giving opportunities in our Holiday Guide for other ways to donate coats, warm clothing, food (and more).
Lots of teamwork at today’s Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Community Pancake Breakfast, continuing until 11 am at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds in The Junction). Above – the kitchen crew. Below – Troop 284 Scouts (having breakfast before their volunteer work as servers):
Santa Claus is there too, along with U.S. Marines Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Hernandez and Cpl. Alejandro Cavazos on behalf of Toys For Tots:
If you’re going, you can bring an unwrapped toy to donate – the Kiwanis Club’s been collecting them at their weekly Farmers’ Market booth for weeks.
This is a tradition that goes back decades (prior to the pandemic hiatus) – Joel Draper found the apron he used to wear for the occasion:
The Kiwanis Club raises money for its work with youth, including Key Clubs at local high schools. Price of this morning’s breakfast: $10 at the door, kids under 10 free with a paying adult.
(WSB file photo)
One more reminder that a longtime local holiday tradition returns tomorrow morning – the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle looks forward to serving you pancakes on Saturday morning! Their Community Pancake Breakfast is back, 7-11 am at Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds), with pancakes, Husky Deli ham, orange juice, coffee, at a bargain price – $8 online (go here), $10 at the door, kids under 10 free when accompanied by a paying adult! Santa will be there for photos, and you can bring Toys For Tots donations if you have new, unwrapped toys to give. It’s a Kiwanis Club fundraiser for their youth programs. They’re also having an online silent auction through Tuesday – items include some cool local business gift cards.
(Tilden School photo – Giving Tree after first day – it’s being replenished daily)
Two notes from independent K-5 Tilden School (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) – first, a reminder that if you’re school-shopping for next year. Tilden welcomes you to its next Open House this Saturday (December 2), 10 am-noon. Head of school Dr. Jorge Olaf Nelson says, “Folks can stop by, have a coffee and a scone and meet our wonderful faculty and staff and learn about our program at Tilden School.”
Also, he shares an update on the school’s holiday-giving drive, which includes the “giving tree” shown above:
Our parents have organized a warm clothing drive which has already raised hundreds of pounds of clothes for children. WestSide Baby was blown away by our Give Joy drive and said we were “the best one ever!” For a small school we really gave in a BIG way!
By the numbers:
34 bags donated
204.9 lbs overall
34 winter coats
12 raincoats
29 pairs of warm shoes
20 sets of PJs
33 pairs of pants
10 pairs of snow pants
204 tops/sweatshirts/sweaters
42 hats
29 pairs of mittens
24 sets of socks
Plus one bagful of the following uncounted; books, toys, baby gear, scarfs, stuffies and learning toys. All items were re-bagged into the same item groupings, to help the volunteers process the donations more efficiently.Parents have also organized a Giving Tree and we are now gathering toys to be distributed soon to Mary’s Place Seattle. Such a wonderful group of dedicated parents at Tilden School. The tree is being restocked on a daily basis. We are so grateful for their kind support.
If you’d like to donate to Mary’s Place too, the link is here; you can also have your own WestSide Baby Joy Drive (as explained in our Holiday Guide) – here’s how.
WSB readers have stepped up multiple times in the past to help Invest in Youth match local students with volunteer tutors. A few more helpers are needed for this year – here’s the announcement:
Can you give 1 hour, 1 day a week to tutor a student in West Seattle? Invest in Youth, a local education nonprofit, has one more opening for a volunteer tutor at Roxhill Elementary and several openings at Sanislo Elementary.
Make a commitment to make a difference in a local student’s academic success! As an Invest in Youth tutor, you’ll be paired with a 3rd, 4th or 5th grader and work with that same student each Tuesday (2:45-3:45 pm @ Roxhill) or Thursday (3:40-4:40 pm @ Sanislo) during the school year.
No experience is necessary; just a commitment to help narrow achievement gaps and promote educational equity right here in West Seattle. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who is a high school senior or older. Tutors typically work on math skills, reading fundamentals as well as being a friend and mentor to their student. Time is spent in the classroom with other student-tutor pairs and a teacher/Invest in Youth staff member is onsite and always available to help when needed.
Invest in Youth needs your support. The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction reports that more than half of Sanislo and Roxhill students have not met language arts and math grade level standards. Tutors can have a big impact and it only requires one hour and one day a week of your time. Both tutors and students consistently report that the program is a highlight of their week on top of being a rewarding experience.
Register online or contact Executive Director Cindy Sackett (csackett@investinyouth.org), if you have questions.
Today is the holiday-season occasion known as Giving Tuesday – with the spotlight on donations. We feature giving opportunities year-round on WSB, including the list of donation drives in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. But we received two requests for Giving Tuesday mentions, both coincidentally on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, so we’re sharing them with you:
SANISLO ELEMENTARY: The Sanislo PTA wants you to know that even a little gift will make a big difference for their small-but-mighty school:
Sanislo Elementary School is one of the smallest schools in Seattle Public Schools, and it is right here in the heart of West Seattle. We know our tiny school escaped the chopping block for this next year’s school consolidation push, but we are trying to prove that our tiny school (fewer than 200 students) is an important part of our community.
The Sanislo PTA is doing a GIVING TUESDAY fundraiser, and we are hoping for just $2,000 in donations from at least 30 donors. It’s a modest goal, but these funds go a long way with our small school. Our PTA funds everything from afterschool activities (improv classes, Ultimate Frisbee team, movie nights, and cultural celebrations) to basic classroom necessities (snacks, reading materials, classroom supplies).
We are a Title 1 school, which means a considerable majority of our students are from low-income families. Sanislo is certainly one of the under-resourced schools described by the district, but that doesn’t mean we can’t offer our students the support, community, and education they deserve. We believe that all students should have the opportunity to create, learn, and grow within the community that supports them.
So, help us support them. Anyone can contribute to our fundraiser at our Member Planet Donation site. memberplanet.com/campaign/sanislopta/givingtuesday_34 or through our Venmo Platform — @Sanislo-Pta .
Small schools are on borrowed time in Seattle, and we want to prove that because we have strong roots in our community and are willing to water our potential with our own generosity, our students will grow and thrive without uprooting them and transplanting them somewhere new.
The Sanislo PTA’s gardening analogy fits with the fact that the other fundraiser we were asked to share is for a garden so big it’s a public park – Puget Ridge Edible Park has a donation drive going today:
(WSB file photo)
Our story started with a Seattle City Parks acquisition levy that passed with big voter support. Our Puget Ridge neighborhood organized to apply for a grant to acquire a 3/4 acre parcel that is one of the last standing undeveloped agriculture-based land. For the past 8 years this land has been regenerated through permaculture techniques to provide free, self-harvest food to the public.
We also distribute food through our farmstand and to food banks. It is our goal to share the methods we had set forth to make this project a reality. Organizing the community to have open communications on a variety of topics through an email group was the first step to our success. Finding a few motivated gardeners with some knowledge and background was not hard. Starting awareness events and work parties began to gel a core group capable of making great progress over the years of development. The park has been a learning center for local backyard gardeners as well as schools. We have also seen similar projects started from this project. Our only real financial support has been the Seed Money Campaign.
Puget Ridge Edible Park is at 18th/Brandon.
We’ve had several questions lately about whether See’s Candies will have another holiday pop-up in West Seattle. Not that we’re seeing/hearing – but you can get their candy while giving local students some help! We featured one fundraiser last week and today we have another – the Chief Sealth International High School Mock Trial team:
That’s a team photo from last spring, after another successful year. But the program has costs to cover, and you can help by buying from their See’s fundraiser:
All proceeds will go toward tournament registration, travel, and supply costs for the team.
There are two convenient ways to order:
1. Order through our online form at tinyurl.com/csmtchocolate for pickup at Chief Sealth [flier]
2. Order online for direct shipment from See’s at tinyurl.com/csisees23The last day to order is 12/1/23. Orders should be available for pickup by 12/13/23.
Chocolate not your thing? Donations are always welcome and can be made via Schoolpay at tinyurl.com/csmtdonate
Questions? Contact by email at RLNeil@seattleschools.org
Start checking your cupboards and closets now for anything you might be able to donate to the Caudle family’s annual drive-up food/coat drive next Saturday – 10 am-3 pm December 2nd! This is the fourth year that the Caudles (Leah, Tim, Atticus, and Dominic) have organized the drive held in the lot behind Hope Lutheran Church/School (enter off SW Oregon, just east of 42nd SW).
Coat donations should be new or “gently used,” all sizes. For food donations, here’s more information on what’s most helpful for WSFB and the people they help.
Earlier this month, stormy weather canceled most Green Seattle Day volunteering events. But rescheduling has promised, and it’s already begun. First, here’s forest steward Lisa McGinty‘s report from Lincoln Park‘s event last Saturday:
Saturday was a perfect day for planting! I’m still smiling from our Green Seattle Day event at Lincoln Park. After eight months of hard restoration work, 400 native trees, shrubs and groundcovers were given their forever homes.
Big shout-out to local band The Potholes for providing acoustic music for our volunteers while we planted and to the WSHS Earth Club leaders for helping manage the many details that go into an event like this. Truly grateful to our community for showing up and sharing their time, stories, and smiles.
Lisa also shared this link for upcoming volunteer opportunities around the area. One of them is at Westcrest Park with Dirt Corps on Saturday, 10 am-1 pm – here’s their announcement:
THIS SATURDAY all are welcome to join in on filling the forest of Westcrest Park in our rescheduled Green Seattle Partnership-sponsored planting event!
Earlier this month we were unable to host this planting event, but this Saturday is our rescheduled opportunity for all to plant-up the park with us!
Thanks to all of the volunteers that’ve come out this year and helped prepare the space for planting, and now’s the opportunity to enjoy the victory lap! WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!!
Go here to sign up.
Right in the heart of an extra-busy season for the West Seattle Food Bank, they’re dealing with an extra expense and hassle. A reader who volunteers at WSFB tipped us that the food bank was down a van because of damage done by a gas thief. We asked the WSFB’s Breanna Bushaw for details:
Someone used a tool to cut a hole in the gas line and siphoned gas out of the van. This happened in our parking garage around 2:30 am on Sunday morning. This was not noticed until the van stopped running (Monday) during our food rescue runs. We know we have incurred towing and repair costs of at least $3,500 plus rental of a replacement until the van is back in action.
We rely on the WSFB vans to transport our food rescue donations from local stores, food drive pickups, mobile food bank deliveries and more. The van is at the auto shop for repairs; we hope to have our second van up and running soon.
We asked Breanna how the community can help – she replied, “Any donations from the community to help with repair costs would be tremendously appreciated – westseattlefoodbank.kindful.com.” Also, as noted yesterday, WSFB will receive all proceeds from tonight’s soft-open (4-9 pm) at GH Pasta & Pizza (7500 35th SW).
A fun night out for you, big help for local students. The Chief Sealth International High School PTSA wants to remind you one more time that its first auction gala in years is just a week and a half away:
Hello, Chief Sealth friends and fans! Just a gentle reminder to get your tickets for the Season of Sealth auction happening on Saturday, 12/2. We know it’s a busy time of year, but we’re really hoping to see some of you there! The event benefits our athletics programs, Denny/Sealth Performing Arts, and the PTSA.
Purchase tickets and/or preview the catalog here. 80+ auction items, drinks, food, games/raffles, energizing auctioneer, live entertainment, and so much more. You won’t want to miss it! TICKET SALES END SUNDAY, 11/26.
P.S. Still haven’t decided to go? The PTSA offers the “Top 10 Reasons to Attend” here!
Candy lovers on your holiday list? Friends of Roxhill Elementary will benefit if you buy See’s Candy through their online shop. Orders are being accepted through December 1st, and the organization explains, “Candy is the exact same cost as in See’s stores or website, but they donate a portion of sales to us!” Here’s the link.
Here’s an opportunity for pre-Thanksgiving giving – to help West Seattle High School students and their families:
Support WSHS Families This Holiday Season
Our Care Coordinator, Stacey Fernandez, is organizing a Thanksgiving & Holiday Gift Card Fund. Your donations will go directly toward providing WSHS students and families with items to meet their basic needs, including food, warm clothing, and personal hygiene supplies. No donation is too small. Give today! Questions? Stacey Fernandez 206-252-8800 stfernandez@seattleschools.org
We photographed Ariel Cook and her assistant (aka mom) at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, where they were collecting food for the West Seattle Food Bank two weeks ago. Ariel will be back tomorrow, again collecting nonperishable food for WSFB, inspired by her work as a fellow with Farmlink, a nonprofit founded by college students to work on food rescue, food insecurity, farmers’ rights, and related issues nationwide. If you missed it in our story earlier this month, here’s the presentation Ariel assembled to explain the food-insecurity problem here, and why WSFB needs more help than ever:
You can bring just about any kind of nonperishable food to donate – except meat and dairy. Financial donations for the WSFB are welcome via this link. After tomorrow, the Farmlink booth will be back at the market one more time, on December 3rd.
(WSB photo, West Seattle Bee Garden, last May)
Have some time to spare tomorrow and/or beyond? The West Seattle Bee Garden in High Point would love your help:
Work Party dates
Sunday, November 19th, 10 am-12 pm (this is a make-up for the one cancelled recently due to stormy weather)
Saturday, December 2nd, 10 am-12 pmFor these events, our focus is on weeding and other garden clean-up. We may begin some relocating of some plants to make room for new plantings in the late winter/early spring. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle. A small snack will be available.
Plant committee
We expect to meet for the first time in early January to discuss what and where to install some new plants. So exciting! We’ll discuss keystone native plants, berries for more picking and eating engagement, other pollinator friendly plants as well as conduct research to identify plants suitable in the face of climate change. Please email volunteerwsbg@gmail.com if you’d like to be added to the Plant Committee communications.Lastly, we are trying to grow our volunteer support for the garden – email volunteerwsbg@gmail.com
For Sunday morning’s work party, just show up! The Bee Garden is on the north side of High Point Commons Park, Lanham/Graham.
Here’s your chance to be Santa, without needing the beard and suit (unless you have them already) – Toys for Tots time! The photo above shows what generous people brought last year to Northwest Insurance Group (5431 California SW; WSB sponsor), and John Moore tells us they’re now collecting donations for this year. We asked John what might be most appreciated this year: “Older kids (11 and early teens) tend to be the most challenging and left out as far as gifts. Items like soccer, football, basketball balls tend to be popular- just nothing wrapped, as they have to be sorted by the Marine Corps.” Whatever you can donate it, bring it to the Northwest Insurance Group office any weekday between 8 am and 4 pm (except Thursday and Friday next week) by December 11th. This drive and others are featured all season long in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!
This donation drive has only four days left – so if you have an extra coat, here’s a new home for it:
Transitional Resources is in major need of warm winter coats for our clients to use during this time of year. As the temperature drops, many of the people we serve do not have coats that will stand up to the PNW’s rainy and chilly weather. Your new or gently used items will go directly to people served in our programs.
Transitional Resources serves our neighbors living with the most serious forms of mental illness by pairing behavioral health services and supportive housing to help people get off the streets and live successfully in the community. All of our clients are low-income, and unfortunately warm, quality coats often times are not a priority on their shopping lists. The stability, safety, and connection they find at TR is thanks to our wonderful West Seattle community and your continued support.
We will be collecting donations through Monday, November 20. You can drop off donations any day 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at 2988 SW Avalon Way.
We are in need of:
Women’s Coats: S – XL
Men’s Coats: S – XL (L and XL are particularly needed)For questions about items needed, please email kristenj@transitionalresources.org
Another West Seattle business is launching a holiday donation drive, and sharing information about how you can help. Today is the first day of the Forgotten Children’s Fund drive at John L. Scott Westwood Real Estate (WSB sponsor). Here’s the announcement:
John L Scott Westwood /The Madrona Group are taking toy donations/money donations from November 15- December 22, 2023. We are working again with THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN’s FUND, which works to give underprivileged children and their families a truly MERRY CHRISTMAS/ With the support of our West Seattle Community, we are able to purchase, wrap, and have Santa and his Elves deliver gifts every year.
The Forgotten Children’s Fund began when a boy named Craig wrote a letter to Santa Claus in December of 1976. That letter never got delivered to Santa’s North Pole, but it did reach a restaurant in Seattle called Francisco’s. The letter immediately captured the heart of Mr. Dick Francisco, and the Forgotten Children’s Fund was created to help others in similar situations. The FCF currently operates in King County, Lewis County, North Counties (including Skagit, Island, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties) and Chelan Counties of Washington State.
Visit forgottenchildrensfund.org to donate, volunteer or just learn more about this organization.
The kids are under 12 years old. The most-requested items are Legos, LOL dolls, Barbies, action figures, Sonic, Paw Patrol, Lincoln logs, Hot Wheels, unicorns, sport balls, arts & crafts, science projects, etc. We can always
use gift cards for the older kids.Please bring your unwrapped gifts to: John L. Scott Westwood at 2600 SW Barton Street, Suite A-6 (Westwood Village), Monday-Friday 9 AM to 4 PM. You can also donate at John L. Scott Bothell and John L. Scott Mukilteo.
Checks can be made to THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN’S FUND – P.O. BOX 365 – MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273. Questions? Contact Natalie Trius at 206-938-5572 or natalietrius@johnlscott.com
The John L. Scott Westwood office is on the breezeway.
Back on November 4th, most Green Seattle Day volunteer events were scratched because of wind and rain. But hundreds of trees are still waiting to be planted, and that means they’re waiting for you. Lincoln Park has room for more volunteers this Saturday morning (November 18th):
Green Seattle Day @Lincoln Park is NOVEMBER 18, 9 am-noon, and registration is still OPEN! Event Registration and Details: seattle.greencitypartnerships.org/event/38152
Join hundreds of volunteers across the city planting thousands of native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers that will become the future forests of Seattle. All community members are welcome, and no experience is necessary! The event is family friendly and open to all ages. Coffee and light snacks provided and Green Seattle swag available for all who register. AND local band, The Potholes will be playing their acoustic hearts out for volunteers as they plant!
This is also a fun outdoor opportunity for student service hours! (Video link from last year’s event)Email flip98136@gmail.com with questions.
(File photo from a previous year’s drive)>
We’re continuing to tell you about holiday-season donation drives – like this one that just launched at longtime WSB sponsor Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency, to help keep people warm as the coldest time of year arrives:
The 10th annual winter clothing drive has begun at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency.
In conjunction with the West Seattle Food Bank/West Seattle Helpline, we are collecting donations of clothes, coats, and shoes from November 13th until January 1st. Please drop off your donations at 3435 California Ave SW. The office is open for donations Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm. Tuesdays 9 am to 2 pm. For undergarments and socks, please donate only new and unopened packages of clothing items.
Pickup may be available for those who have donations but are unable to transport them. For further information, contact the State Farm office at 206-932-1878.
Thank you, West Seattle, for your generosity and spirit of giving.
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