November 20 – Learning Communities Foundation for Educare Seattle

November 22 – West Seattle Food Bank

November 25 – Hazelwood Preschool

November 27 – Southwest Seattle Historical Society

November 29 – Westside Neighbors Shelter

December 2 – WestSide Baby

December 4 – White Center Pride Committee

December 6 – The Whale Trail

December 9 – West Seattle Tool Library

December 11 – Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association

December 13 – White Center Food Bank

December 16 – West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA

December 18 – West Seattle Community Orchestras

December 20 – Westside Interfaith Network

December 23 – Highland Park Improvement Club

This Friday (December 27), watch for ArtsWest‘s story, and WSGS will conclude on Monday (December 30) with SMASH. Thanks to everyone who participated, either by telling their nonprofit’s story, or hy reading/donating.

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When a tragic fire was started outside the Highland Park Improvement Club (HPIC) building in 2021, the community mourned a gathering place that, in the words of one of our neighbors, “is open and welcoming to all and respects where everyone is in their life.” The club is much more than a building. HPIC has been a community-owned non-profit for over 100 years. We exist to enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood by providing an inclusive gathering place, hosting neighborhood programs that celebrate the diverse arts and culture we represent, and fostering community engagement.

We are now fundraising for the HPIC Rebuild Project, which will construct a new performing arts and community event space on the foundation of the old building. The rebuilt HPIC will have an elevated performance stage with an expansive dance floor, a brand-new accessible mezzanine, an improved community kitchen, rain gardens, and solar energy generation. The new upper level includes additional gathering space, administrative offices, and storage.

Before the pandemic, HPIC hosted low- to no-cost concerts, art shows, holiday markets, dance classes, and celebrations with as many as 530 participants in a month. HPIC used the pandemic shutdown to start a vital food distribution program, while accomplishing necessary renovations. We were almost ready to reopen, only to be closed by the fire.

Even without a building, HPIC has been working hard to stay connected within the community, growing organizational capacity, and hosting community events. HPIC’s 2022 Reset Fest at Riverview Park drew over 300 people with games, arts and crafts, community speakers, and three bands, including Eva Walker of The Black Tones, who is a KEXP DJ and author of The Sound of Seattle: 101 Songs that Shaped a City.

We asked Eva what she thought about the need for all-ages community arts spaces like HPIC. “As someone who was born, raised and Seattle-bred, I owe my success to the opportunities I had as a young musician performing in all-ages spaces. I was able to develop my music confidence, as well as connect with lifetime colleagues. As a new mother, my priority is to hand down music opportunities for my little girl Hendrix (yes like the guitar player). Community-led, all-ages venues like Highland Park Improvement Club are extremely valuable and necessary.”

This year, HPIC expanded the organization by adding nine new highly qualified and dedicated board members, all of whom live in the neighborhood. Four long-standing and experienced Board members remain.

In 2025 HPIC will restart programming to engage our neighborhood! We plan to offer free, all-ages community programming while opening our “doors” to partnerships with local artists and other arts and culture organizations. Please visit our website to become a sustaining HPIC member, sign up to volunteer, or donate to our Rebuild Project.

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QUESTIONS? Emily Schauer fundraising@hpic1919.org

We have two more West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlights for you – next one on Friday. Learn about all the nonprofits we’ve already featured by scrolling through this archive!

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EXTRA FOOD DRIVE: Robbin Peterson from the West Seattle Food Bank tells us the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will be back at the south end of the Farmers Market tomorrow – California/Alaska – with “a final push to collect non-perishables for WSFB. While the holiday spirit inspires generosity, January often brings a sharp drop in donations—but the need remains. Contributions now will ensure we have the food to support families when regular distributions resume after the holiday. Let’s stock the shelves and start the new year with hope and abundance for all!” Find the booth at the market 10 am-2 pm.

DANCE! WEST SEATTLE: Back during the November West Seattle Art Walk, we recorded that video of Dance! West Seattle previewing “Nutcracker Suites” at Alki Arts. Tomorrow, 1:30 pm at Highline Performing Arts Center, you can see the full show, and Dance! West Seattle asked us to share this final invitation:

On the search for holiday cheer this Sunday? You are cordially invited to join Dance! West Seattle as we perform Nutcracker Suites, a newly choreographed ballet offered to the greater community. This fresh, engaging, charming show is filled with holiday spirit, providing the perfect opportunity for a delightful afternoon out at a great price!

Our 1st Act will be performed by all D!WS students showing demonstrations of what they are working on in classes, followed by our 2nd Act of Nutcracker Suites! Limited tickets are still available for ONLY $28, with no additional taxes or fees, and going quickly! Less than 100 tickets remain! Please email us at info@dancewestseattle.com to secure your seats for tomorrow’s incredible show!

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Despite the rain, despite the traffic passing by at California/Alaska, that hardy group – call them 3 Carolers 3 aka B Sharp Studio – serenaded West Seattle Junction passersby for two hours at midday today. It’s a holiday-season tradition to raise money for the White Center & West Seattle Food Banks. If you didn’t get the chance to listen in and drop a contribution in the box, you can also help the WCFB – which serves southern West Seattle too – by donating here, and/or help the WSFB by donating here.

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Got some room in your heart and budget for a little more holiday giving? Every year, CAPERS in The Junction has a Giving Tree for Hickman House, which helps domestic-violence survivors. Tomorrow (Sunday, December 22) is the last day to swap an “ornament” on the tree for a new, unwrapped gift item, so today you can stop in and get one or more ornaments to go shop to fulfill the gift wish. Details from CAPERS:

The CAPERS Giving Tree is a neighborhood collaboration that helps support women and families who are survivors of domestic violence at Hickman House, a local transitional residence. Since 1990, this tradition has brightened the lives of hundreds of families through the generous support of our community. This Giving Tree is a beautiful example of neighbors helping neighbors, and a testament to the kindness and compassion of our West Seattle community. Over the years, thousands of gifts have been collected, making a meaningful impact on countless lives. We invite you to become part of this wonderful tradition. Stop by CAPERS for more details and to select your star. Together, we can make the season magical for families in need. Thank you for your generosity this holiday season!

1. How It Works: Choose a Star: Stars, lovingly crafted by Hickman House staff, are hung on the Giving Tree in our store.

2. Purchase a Gift: Pick a star, fulfill the wish, and purchase the requested item. Gift cards to local businesses are also welcome.

3. Return by December 22: Bring the unwrapped gift back to the store by December 22.

What Happens Next: The gifts are delivered to Hickman House families, spreading joy and hope to those in need.

CAPERS (a WSB sponsor) is at 4525 California SW, open until 6 pm today, 9:30 am-5 pm Sunday.

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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.

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Every child should have a holiday meal and present, and parents and caregivers could use less stress this holiday season. You can make a difference by donating today to Friends of Roxhill Elementary, our school’s non-profit PTO.

Bring holiday cheer and help families cover basic household needs (e.g., groceries, cleaning supplies, utilities). Our goal is to provide each family with $200 in holiday and household support this year.

While we typically have about 50 families in our community who need support through the holiday season, Roxhill Elementary School’s counselor, Ms. Amber, has shared that the need for assistance has increased this year.

“Roxhill Elementary has the most amazing community of bright, loving kids and caring, generous families,” said Ms. Amber. “I know how hard it is to ask for help, so I honor every parent that has had the courage to let me know they need help right now. This is what community is about.”

Roxhill Elementary is a small but mighty Title I school with approximately 245 students, located in the south end of West Seattle. 60% of our students are on free and reduced lunch. Over 72% of our students are from BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color). Our school has a strong sense of community. We come together to celebrate and support each other.

You can help us show every family that they are seen and cared for.

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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!

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

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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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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.

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If you take new or gently used coats/warm clothing to the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Cocoa and Coat Drive event before 2 pm, you might just get a carol! The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, West Seattle Food Bank, and West Seattle Junction Association crew at the booth on the south end of the Farmers Market (California/Alaska) sang “Jingle Bells” for us about an hour ago. They were already on their second pile of donations, too:

Take yours to the booth by 2 pm today!

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Tomorrow’s the big day – one more major West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays event- the annual Cocoa and Coat Drive at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, and friends. Go check your closet/drawers/chair backs and see if you have coats or jackets in good shape that nobody’s using (or go buy one if you have time/money), and bring it/them to the market tomorrow (Sunday, December 15), 10 am-2 pm. You bring the coat(s), you get the cocoa as a reward! Donated coats/warm clothing go to the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Clothesline.

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Our mission is to minimize hunger while nourishing community, nurturing self-reliance and embracing our rich cultural diversity. The White Center Food Bank began unofficially in the mid-1970s as an emergency response to assist struggling families and individuals in the greater White Center and Highline areas during a major economic downturn. Much like today, many in the community were faced with difficult economic conditions that left them in need of food resources.

We were there then. We are here now.

Please consider a financial contribution, running a food drive or volunteering to help us keep the community fed!

We are also open for tours of our new facility. If you are interested, please contact Jefferson Rose, Development and Communications Director at jefferson@whitecenterfoodbank.org

WCFB WEBSITE
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Scroll through our archive of West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlights here (newest to oldest), and watch for the next one on Monday!

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Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) is a community-based organization dedicated to empowering residents of the Delridge neighborhood in West Seattle.

DNDA is more than just a neighborhood organization. We’re a growing community hub offering a wide range of services and opportunities for all families to participate in. From community rental spaces at our vibrant Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, to our commitment to restorative justice, nature restoration, free art programs, and affordable housing development, there’s something for everyone.

One of our core programs is the Summer Youth Program. which offers a variety of activities and experiences for young people ages 7 to 19. For over 5 years, this program has empowered young minds through engaging activities like field trips, sports tournaments, and environmental workshops. This program enriches lives, develops important skills, and fosters lasting relationships. Many participants, having grown up in this program, have now taken on leadership roles, shaping a brighter future for our community. In 2024, we served over 750 young people and plan to expand to serve even more families in the coming years.

To ensure that our youth can participate in these valuable experiences, we are seeking $50,000 to support purchasing and maintaining a transportation van. This van will allow us to remove logistical barriers and transport our program participants safely to and from various locations, expanding our reach and impact.

Your generous donation, in any amount, will directly contribute to providing our young people with the transportation they need to access enriching experiences and opportunities. By supporting DNDA, you are investing back into our community and helping to Integrate Art, Nature, and Neighborhood to build and sustain a dynamic Delridge!

Help us make a difference!

DONATE HERE 

LEARN MORE – SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS

LEARN MORE – ECOARTS PROGRAM

GET DNDA’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

VOLUNTEER

QUESTIONS? Phoenix Robbins, 206-935-2999, phoenix@dnda.org

Scroll through our archive of West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlights here (newest to oldest), and watch for the next one on Friday!

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10 days after 13-year-old Nathan Tavel spent the morning after Thanksgiving in a one-person, one-hour bowl-a-thon to benefit local food banks, reps of both met up with him at West Seattle Bowl for a celebration of the final tally: $9,383, according to Nathan’s dad Phil Tavel. That’ll be split between the White Center Food Bank – whose Randy Nguyen is at left in our photo – and the West Seattle Food Bank, whose Fran Yeatts, Whit Carter, and Robbin Peterson are at right with Nathan, who bowled a perfect game during the fundraising hour.

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12:10 PM: A big morning at the West Seattle Food Bank‘s headquarters in High Point! Nucor Steel employees delivered the results of their annual WSFB donation drive – more than two tons of food, and $21,850 in cash, cards, and company match!

Monetary donations to the WS Food Bank go far (here’s how to do that), as they have extra bulk purchasing power, but all this food will also help fight hunger this winter – lots of protein, grains, soups, pasta, and more.

We asked the WSFB crew if there’s anything in particular at the top of their wish list for your donations as we get further into the holiday season. We’re told ingredients for holiday meals – “the fixin’s” – are especially welcome. And next Sunday (December 15), please bring new or gently used coats to the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market for the Hometown Holidays Cocoa and Coat Drive (you donate the coats, you get the cocoa), 10 am-1:30 pm, with the West Seattle Junction Association and Kiwanis Club of West Seattle.

1:25 PM: Full stats from Robbin Peterson at WSFB: “4,520 pounds of food donated – $4,864 in gifts from employees (cash, checks, and gift cards) – Nucor match: $16,986.”

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