West Seattle help for Japan: Benefit wine tasting; school ‘flash mob’

Separate from Karla‘s note gauging interest in a West Seattle-wide fundraiser for Japan (here’s that story if you haven’t seen it – watch for followups), we have two individual local benefit efforts to report tonight.

WINE-TASTING FUNDRAISER: Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction has regular Friday night tastings, usually with a $5 refundable fee. Tomorrow night, that fee will go entirely to benefit earthquake and tsunami victims. The featured winemakers are Stewart and Athena Boedecker from Oregon. Bin 41 says “100% (of the fee is) going into a community pot to raise funds for relief efforts for the earthquake and tsunami victims. We appreciate your support and look forward to taking part in helping those in need during this unprecedented natural disaster.” The tasting is 5:30-7 pm, 4707 California SW (next to KeyBank).

WEST SEATTLE ACADEMY ‘FLASH MOB’: Teacher Matt Evans explains:

I just read about Karla’s quest for ideas for a West Seattle-wide fundraising event for Japan. I am the science teacher for the middle school at West Seattle Montessori. Today, after viewing tsunami footage I selected to show my classes, I brainstormed with our 8th graders about we could do to raise money and help out those poor people. It is a busy time for us with our Science Fair next Wednesday, but we decided that we would dedicate our two hours set aside for PE next Thursday to try and raise some money. We decided on a “Flash Mob” style fundraiser where the students will descend upon the WS Junction next Thursday around 1 pm to solicit donations from shoppers. The kids will design their own donation box and either sing, perform, or otherwise exhibit their own individuality to (hopefully) gather donations. There is only 24 students in our middle school so it shouldn’t be too overwhelming or (hopefully not) bothersome for those going about their business in the Junction. … I believe that if the people of West Seattle know to expect the presence of 24 talented middle school kids in the middle of a school day, and know what their intentions are, it would benefit all involved and affected.

After the jump, the letter Matt sent home with his students:

Hello Parents,

West Seattle Academy is going to spend next Thursday’s PE period raising money for the relief effort in Japan. Señor Jay and myself will be taking the students to the West Seattle Junction or down to Alki (weather permitting) to solicit donations for the Red Cross. I am encouraging the students to be creative in how they do this, while being respectful and positive representatives of WSA. The idea is to be sort of a “flash mob” of charity and sort of take over a well populated commercial/retail area and raise as much money as possible in a little over an hour’s time. Some students want to busk with their band instruments, they may sing songs from Fiddler On The Roof, make posters, and paint their faces. The only thing that we require from you, the parents, is the donation of a coffee can or similar vessel that each student can decorate with our school colors, Red Cross logo, Japanese flag, etc. and that can be easily toted around the area we set up at. My goal is for each of our 24 students to have their own coffee can, so if you have more then one to spare, I’m sure we can find it a good home. If any parents want to join us next Thursday, you are of course welcome…it should be a blast and a great lesson for the students. We’ll be leaving school at 12:30 pm next Thursday 3/24 and returning by 2:15.

Our goal is $500…..wish us luck and thanks for your help!!

Sincerely,

Matt Evans
West Seattle Academy Science/Physical Education

1 Reply to "West Seattle help for Japan: Benefit wine tasting; school 'flash mob'"

  • Sonoma March 17, 2011 (11:25 pm)

    Thanks, Bin 41, and great idea, West Seattle Academy. Keep us posted via the Blog!

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