YOU CAN HELP: Pencil Me In For Kids hopes to pencil you in

In just a few weeks, school starts again for thousands of local kids. Though the pandemic means “school” will look different – at least for the fall – some things haven’t changed: Many kids still need a helping hand to ensure they have supplies.

This is where Pencil Me In For Kids comes in – and has done so for almost a quarter century – with West Seattle community support, for West Seattle students. This year, that too looks different.

Sue Lindblom – who you might know as the proprietor of longtime WSB sponsor Illusions Hair Design – explains PMIFK:

We started as a fundraiser at Illusions in 1996 raising just over $1,800 and in 2002 West Seattle Rotary helped take it on as a project. Our goal has always been to get the specific small items where each school knew they would have a shortage, not just what we ‘thought’ would be helpful. This has always made PMIFK different from other fundraisers. In all this time, we have been able to purchase supplies at discounts from then-Morton’s Drugs to more recently from Staples in Westwood that have totaled tens of thousands of dollars if not much more.

Through the years, we have done raffles with prizes donated by local businesses, had a booth at the Street Festival for many years, had all our printed material donated by Liberty Bell Printing, held dinners at the West Seattle Eagles, held haircutting events at Illusions, received cash donations from Fauntleroy Church and the West Seattle Helpline, many donations from Illusions clients sometimes in the manner of our “Round Up’ pricing in August, donations from West Seattle Thriftway summer BBQs, along with money from the WS Rotary annual fund raising events.

Obviously, things have changed this year. Many events had to be cancelled and there is need everywhere.

Along with limited funding this year, each school is still in the throngs of figuring out exactly how the school will look in a month from now. We have decided to buy a few of the most needed items that are requested each year and hold back most of what we have for right now. We want to find out from each school, after a few weeks, what is needed in this year of the pandemic. The problem is there aren’t many funds this year. We are asking for help. We are asking anyone who can afford a few dollars to help us out this year to please donate.

There are two ways you can help:

#1 – An online donation page has just been set up through GoFundMe.

#2 – Send a check to send a check – for the West Seattle Rotary, noting that it’s for Pencil Me In For Kids – care of Illusions Hair Design, 5619 California Ave. SW, 98136.

4 Replies to "YOU CAN HELP: Pencil Me In For Kids hopes to pencil you in"

  • Just wondering August 12, 2020 (6:34 pm)

    I bought new crayola (24 count) packs.  Will you have a box to donate them?

    • Susan Lindblom August 14, 2020 (3:28 pm)

      You may drop them off at Illusions:  5619 California Ave. SW.  Please call first at 206-938-3675 because we keep our door locked. We are open Monday-Thursday. Thanks for much for the donation. Kids always can use crayons!

  • Ben August 14, 2020 (12:16 am)

    Is there anywhere that needs help with students and families getting online, maybe not knowing how to Zoom, etc. Or do all students/parents pretty much have that covered by now? I envision helping in-person with computer issues at home, if that is needed.

    • Susan Lindblom August 14, 2020 (3:31 pm)

      I do not know at this time Ben. Check back with us at 206-938-3675 after September 20 and I may have a better idea by then.  The teachers do not even know what exactly to expect that first week or two!  Thanks for the offer!

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