All holiday season long, we’ve published the stories of area nonprofits, explaining what they do and how you can support their work. This pilot project started with an invitation from the Learning Communities Foundation, and concludes today with our final spotlighted nonprofit – SMASH. Here’s their story!

At SMASH (Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare), we believe healthy musicians make for a healthy music scene, and Seattle’s music scene rocks! But here’s the thing: many of the musicians who bring us joy on stage, struggle to access basic health care. That’s where we come in.

SMASH offers free and low-cost health services to musicians living in the greater Puget Sound area, helping them stay in tune with their health so they can keep creating the music we all love. From dental and hearing care to mental health support, we make sure our local music creatives get the services they need to thrive.

This mission is personal to us, and it’s inspired by incredible people like West Seattle’s Susie Tennant. Susie was a beloved figure and neighbor in the West Seattle music community, known for her kindness, energy, and tireless support of musicians. Her advocacy for musicians in our community helped lead to the breakout of bands like Nirvana and countless others, and she is widely recognized as one of the most powerful people in Seattle music. Her legacy lives on in everything we do, and through our Susie Tennant Memorial Fund.

Supporting SMASH isn’t just about health care — it’s about continuing Susie’s vision of a music scene where artists are cared for and empowered to shine.

Now, in order to keep musicians healthy and playing the music we love, we need your help. By making a donation today, you will help SMASH fund life-changing care for the artists who make West Seattle – and all of the Puget Sound area – so special. Whether it’s helping a musician protect their hearing for their next gig or get the mental-health support they need, every gift makes a big difference.

Join us in supporting the creative heartbeat of our community. Be a rock star for our rock stars, and help keep our local musicians healthy – because a healthy music scene is a thriving music scene.

Donate to SMASH today!

Thanks again to everyone who’s made the West Seattle Giving Spirit series possible, from the nonprofits telling their stories to the people reading them and to those who’ve chosen to support them. Learn about all the nonprofits we’ve featured by scrolling through this archive.

The name of the spotlight organization for which you can demonstrate the West Seattle Giving Spirit today, the Westside Interfaith Network, doesn’t fully tell the story of how it works. Three times a week through year’s end, WSB is bringing you this special holiday-season opportunity to learn about, and support, some of our area’s nonprofits, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation. WIN isn’t about preaching – it’s about connecting and helping:

The Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) is building a strong, compassionate, and responsive community on the west side of Seattle/King County. We feed people: by showing up every Saturday, rain or shine, with a hot meal to feed 120+ people, the local population of unsheltered, ultra low-income seniors & families, refugees and asylum seekers, has come to know and trust us. We estimate that three-quarters are regulars, attending every Saturday knowing they will receive a hot home-cooked meal, toilet paper, hygiene items, socks, clothing, and food to take home, wherever their home may be. They are all experiencing food insecurity and for many this is their only significant meal for the week.

We care about our neighbors who are hurting & suffering, marginalized & unseen. We feel called (no matter what that means within our own personal spirituality or values) to serve and be of service to our neighbors who lack housing, food, and a place at the table. WIN welcomes the community with dignity and respect, meeting them “where they are at” with open hearts and spirits; we are truly “The Welcome Table.” Upon developing relationships with our guests, we assist with requests for bus tickets, work boots, outdoor equipment, gift cards, and even assistance with rent & utilities. It’s all about building relationships and community.

Faith congregations across West Seattle and Burien sign up to provide the hot meal and volunteers each week (but anyone can come volunteer!). These volunteers help distribute the basic items based on need. Hygiene items include toilet paper, shampoo, soap, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine hygiene, diapers, first aid kits, etc. We give away women’s and kids’ clothing, and specifically for the men, we have day labor clothing of jeans, hoodies, beanies, work boots, gloves, socks, etc. For those experiencing homelessness, we have a separate distribution of sleeping bags, tarps, tents, backpacks, warm outerwear, socks, hand warmers, etc. Nearly everything is donated, though we are purchasing critical items more and more for our guests living outdoors and for the food pantry.

Last Saturday was our Gift Bag Extravaganza where we gave away 200 gift bags at our Welcome Table full of goodies and supplies all made by our faith communities.

WIN is an all-volunteer 501c3 wholly reliant on our friends and community to support our critical work. We ask that you support WIN with a financial contribution or donations of new socks, sleeping bags, coats, warm clothing, boots, and hygiene items.

WISH LIST

But most of all, come share the hot meal with us and this beloved community in White Center as a volunteer – no one is turned away! Be ready to have your heart set on fire.

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VOLUNTEER OR LEARN MORE: Email WINWelcomeTable@googlegroups.com

Our next West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight is on Monday; you can scroll through our past spotlights here.

Giving time, money, and/or talent – all ways to demonstrate the West Seattle Giving Spirit for tonight’s spotlighted organization, the West Seattle Community Orchestras. Three times a week through year’s end, WSB is bringing you this special holiday-season opportunity to learn about, and support, some of our area’s nonprofits, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation. Now, here’s WSCO’s story:

We are the West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSCO) and we would love for you to join us as a musician or support us as a donor! WSCO teaches and rehearses orchestral music weekly Sept-May and performs 3 concerts annually at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. Registration for our January-March and March-May termsis currently open!

We play again outdoors each summer at Lincoln Park for our Summer Play Along series. And at events like West Seattle Summer Fest, WSCO hosts several instrument petting zoos for children to see, touch, and play string, wind, and percussion instruments.

WSCO provides a community dedicated to musical growth, education, and appreciation, and welcomes musicians of all ages and abilities to create and perform music together. Our multi-generational organization uniquely promotes performing arts, artistic expression, and both K-12 education and lifelong learning, with opportunities to play in four different level ensembles (Debut Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra) and to learn to play an instrument in two classes (Student Beginning Strings and Adult Beginning Strings). WSCO does not charge tuition for students through K-12, eliminating a barrier to student participation. At every level, young people and adults play together in a relaxed, non-competitive environment that builds both confidence and community.

Half of our budget comes from adult musician dues and the other half from generous donations from members of the community like you. If you’re wondering where this money is going, here’s a high-level view of our expenses:

58% goes to compensating fairly our local conductors, coaches and staff
21% goes to renting rehearsal and concert spaces with Seattle Public Schools
20% goes to purchasing music, insurance, hosting our website…
And last but not least, your donations help us keep the program free for students through K-12!

DONATE

REGISTER

Our next West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight is Friday; you can scroll through our past spotlights here.

You give, they thrive! Here’s your next chance to demonstrate the West Seattle Giving Spirit. Three times a week through year’s end, WSB is bringing you this special holiday-season opportunity to learn about, and support, some of our area’s nonprofits, in partnership with the Learning Communities Foundation. Tonight – the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA:

Health and wellness should be accessible to everyone; and your contribution to the West Seattle YMCA will help make that a reality. All donations will be used to subsidize membership and program costs for those in financial need.

Every month we provide subsidized memberships for more than 550 people at our West Seattle and Fauntleroy facilities. These scholarships help people of all ages, abilities, and interests.

In some cases, it is helping a senior member attend an Active Older Adult fitness class or join our monthly potlucks and outings. Seniors can also have access to aquatic classes designed for their needs and for those with disabilities, or private personal-training sessions to support their lifestyle and health goals.

For others, a scholarship means that a child can have access to youth sports leagues and performance trainings. Youth can also attend youth equipment orientations, which educate young members on how to use gym equipment safely, practice good gym etiquette, and move their bodies correctly.

By contributing to the YMCA of West Seattle, you are helping to strengthen the community and ensure that these vital programs continue to thrive. Your generosity will create a lasting impact, fostering a healthier, more connected community for all.

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LEARN MORE

The Y’s main West Seattle location is in The Triangle, at 3622 SW Snoqualmie, 206-935-6000. The Y is a WSB sponsor; nonprofits were chosen for these spotlights by the Learning Communities Foundation, which made an open call for participants and assigned the spots first-come first-served. Watch for the next spotlight Wednesday; see who’s already been featured by scrolling through this archive.