How to help 3843 results

Fauntleroy wants you!

January 18, 2008 11:24 am
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 |   How to help | Neighborhoods

Just out of the WSB inbox, from Judy Pickens:

Fauntleroy documentary project seeks marketing expert:

Fauntleroy is coming together to write, film, produce, and screen a 30-minute documentary that will capture the historic events, people, and places that shaped the neighborhood, profile what it is today, and explore the challenges of nurturing community in an increasingly urbanized city. This combination volunteer/professional project is just getting under way and needs a marketing expert on the team. If you could solicit sponsorships to augment grant funding, develop a marketing plan, and identify screening venues, you might be the one! Passion for Fauntleroy a plus. To explore this opportunity, contact Judy_Pickens@msn.com.

Early start for “Day of Service” @ West Seattle Elementary

After we mentioned the “Day of Service” volunteer work planned for Monday @ West Seattle Elementary, Seattle Works e-mailed to let us know some of the work it’s doing in conjunction with City Year would actually start today. Here’s some of what’s happening at the school right now — starting with the outlining of a hummingbird mural outside a classroom:

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Outside the school, these volunteers are literally laying the groundwork for a play area that will serve the district’s special-needs preschool that’s on the WSES campus:

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And this carpentry work will create decorative planters for the school’s entrance:

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As you might have guessed from the orange shirts, most of the volunteers at WSES today are from Home Depot — Seattle Works says the Delridge store coordinated the effort but the HD workers are from all around Puget Sound. Meantime, organizers are still looking for donations to complete the preschoolers’ play area; our original post has info on how to help.

Floating an idea: Time to start thinking Hi-Yu

January 14, 2008 12:44 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival

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Now that it’s mid-January, we can truly see the summer light at the end of the tunnel – and in fact, there are three ways you can get involved with this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival right now:Read More

Video feature: Pigeon Point Park needs you tomorrow

January 11, 2008 9:36 pm
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 |   Environment | How to help | Pigeon Point | West Seattle parks | West Seattle video

Have you ever been to Pigeon Point Park? The trail we walked in the video clip above is just a small part of this hidden treasure next to Cooper Elementary School in northeast West Seattle. Tomorrow, it’s one of the places on the WS “east side” that will get special attention during Green Delridge Day — plenty of time for you to participate before settling in for the Seahawks game. The Pigeon Point Park event is the first-ever work party there for the Nature Consortium, whose restoration-project staffers Mark Tomkiewicz and Elizabeth McDonald gave us a mini-tour (much of which we videotaped):Read More

You can take action to save a life – right now

Go here to set up an appointment online to donate blood through the Puget Sound Blood Center. We got a note from WSB reader Mark wanting everyone to know that PSBC supplies are at emergency (low) levels – confirmed by the red bar across the PSBC home page. Mark is a regular blood donor, and when we e-mailed PSBC for more info, they sent this update asking that more people make that part of their lives:Read More

Save the date: January 18

That’s when you’re invited to join the WSB team and myriad fine folks for the announcement of the first quarterly West Seattle Community Recognition Award recipients, plus some general mingling. trophy.jpgLocation to be announced shortly. What are those awards we speak of, you’re wondering? Long story short, Julie Mireille Anderson from Divina wanted to find a way to celebrate some of the incredible people in WS, and hatched the idea, inviting WSB to help sponsor and coordinate. How could we resist? Good news is, there’s still time for you to nominate somebody. We originally explained it all here, and now there’s one update: You can get the nomination form in a Word doc (click here) so you can fill it out inline. (Explanatory info is in a Word doc too; get that here.) Nominate somebody right now, then join us on Jan. 18!

Help West Seattle seniors tell their stories

West Seattle author Lisa Haneberg is looking for a little help as she gets ready to lead a group of local seniors in writing their life stories for family, friends, and posterity. Here’s her request:Read More

A gift you can give someone without spending a cent

December 23, 2007 12:45 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle people

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Beautiful scenes like that remind us what a wonderful place West Seattle is — but it’s not just the scenery, it’s the wonderful people too … which is why, in collaboration with Julie Mireille Anderson from Divina (subject of a P-I profile this weekend), and as many West Seattleites who want to be part of this, we are announcing a way for you to give the gift of recognition:Read More

Christmas tree tip, and more holiday notes

First, the tree tip, from Steve in Highland Park:

McLendon’s (at least the one in White Center) is selling ALL trees at $10. Charlie Brown ones are $5! Good news for procrastinators like us.

We had mentioned somewhere that when we checked out West Seattle Nursery a couple days ago, they had some Douglas Firs as low as $11. We’ll be out checking around WS a little later but please let us know what you are seeing and hearing, too.

CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY CHURCH SERVICES: Forgot to mention in the earlier post about supermarkets and coffee shops, we also have been building a list of Christmas Eve/Day services in West Seattle, also on the WSB Holidays page, under the Dec. 24-25 events-by-day listings. We haven’t yet called the churches we couldn’t find online, but will be working on that today.

holidaypresent.jpgCHRISTMAS EVE/DAY MOVIES: We asked Steve Garrett @ Admiral Theater about holiday showtimes – here’s what he has planned: Christmas Eve 2:00 & 4:00 showtimes (matinee only); Christmas Day 7 & 9 pm showtimes (evening only). (Find the theater website here.)

BUSINESSES IN THE GIVING SPIRIT: So many West Seattle businesses have found ways to give this holiday season — food drives, donations, volunteering, etc. And here’s another one, just out of the inbox from the folks at smallclothes (3236 California):

smallclothes is offering 2 ways to help WestSide Baby [their site here], a non-profit organization that collects previously owned items for children and babies and distributes them free of charge to families in need.

Please consider one or both of the following ways you can help out:

1* Choose an outfit or two for someone in need. Receive 10% off resale items and we will deliver your donation to WestSide Baby.

2* Purchase a hand-made blanket from us, and both the profit and the blanket will be donated. smallclothes owner Ruth has made many fleece blankets in festive colors for $15 (toddler size) or $10 (crib size).

Buy an ornament, help a family

Adding this to the Holidays and Events pages as well as the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, but also wanted to make note of it here: alissaandmimi.jpgTomorrow at the new Tillicum Village Gift Gallery on Avalon, Northwest Coastal carver Alissa Bellah-Pierson will be handcarving ornaments to sell to raise money for the medical expenses of her 9-month-old baby Mimi’s liver transplant — the baby (shown with Alissa in photo at left from TV website) had to be rushed from Alaska to Seattle last month, and got a new liver two days before Thanksgiving. You can read more about them on this webpage (scroll down to “Help for a Family in Need”). Mimi’s mom will be carving at the Tillicum Village Gift Gallery 10 am-4 pm tomorrow.

Help wanted: 1st-ever director for Family Promise Seattle

On the day one local nonprofit organization says its sad goodbye, another one is expanding by looking for its first Executive Director. Here’s what Ann Kendall wrote about the search in e-mail to WSB:

Family Promise Seattle is a new nonprofit here in West Seattle – we are seeking our first-ever director. We’re part of a national network (familypromise.org) – helping newly homeless families with temporary shelter (in local congregations of all faiths), and by operating a Day Center where folks can have an address, phone, internet and a case worker who will assist the families with all transitional needs. Goal is to get folks into permanent housing asap. Nationally the average stay for a family in the program is just about 40 days and we are hopeful we can do the same once we get going.

… Finding someone with ties to W. Seattle area would be great in getting us started. Full job description is located on our “director search” page. We will be operating our Day Center right next to West Side Presbyterian.

Here’s the direct link to the page Ann mentioned.

Another area food bank hoping for help

We’ve told you about the West Seattle Food Bank‘s needs this holiday season (with its wish list here), and you’ve stepped up to the plate (as did Nucor employees with the big donation we covered last week) – Now we’ve heard from the White Center Food Bank, which serves families just south of West Seattle (its coverage area is shown here), which is also in need of a pre-Christmas boost. From Richard Jump at the WCFB:

The White Center Food Bank is expecting to serve more than 800 low-income families during our holiday distribution this week. Donations are still needed to meet the increased demand for services. Most needed items include: hams, fruit cocktail, olives, canned fruit, Stove Top stuffing, Rice-a-Roni, jello & pudding, chicken or turkey broth, dessert mixes, etc. Donations are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at the food bank at 10829 8th Ave SW. Our telephone number is 206.762.2848. Happy Holidays!

If you know of any other local nonprofit with urgent last-minute pre-Christmas needs, please let us know – e-mail us or call us (206/293-6302) and we’ll help get the word out here on WSB. 10:30 AM ADDENDUM: We checked with WCFB and they will accept donations during business hours — 8:30 to 6:30 pm — or by appointment.

Saturday midmorning miscellany

December 15, 2007 10:22 am
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 |   How to help | West Seattle schools | WS miscellaneous

-If you planned to participate in the West Seattle High School Travel Club babysitter fundraiser tonight, the Travel Club needs you to know that the babysitting had to be canceled because “Ms. D” has pneumonia and the event can’t happen without a staff member present at all times. However, good news, the Night Out dining fundraiser tonight is still on – full details at the WSHS Travel Club blog.

-Yeah, so it’s a little breezy and wet out there today – some other awesome events are happening indoors throughout the morning, afternoon, and evening too, besides the dining fundraiser — from the C and P Coffee Arts/Crafts Fair under way right now, to several holiday concerts this morning/afternoon, and more – the WSB West Seattle Weekend Lineup has full details.

-Got a note from Jim Curtis, executive director of the North American Self-Defense Association. He’s not WS-based but he’s about to launch a class here and wanted to get the word out:

I am now registering students for a new Umibushi Goshin Jutsu self-defense class I’m teaching at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center … It’s every Wednesday from 4:40-5:30 PM … If people sign up this coming week then they get a free uniform … Umibushi Goshin Jutsu is a practical self-defense system combining techniques and strategy from karate, jujitsu, boxing and Marine Corps hand to hand combat. It’s easy to learn and does not require extreme flexibility. Also, I am seeking a new webmaster for the North American Self-Defense Association and would trade self-defense classes in exchange for this service.

If you want to find out more about the class, you can contact Jim directly at umibushi@yahoo.com.

Prime time for West Seattle Food Bank holiday donations

Today and next Monday are great days to get holiday-dinner food donations to the West Seattle Food Bank (here’s the list we originally published). On Thursday, WSFB got a big boost from Nucor, which showed up with more than $9,000 in cash and gift cards along with thousands of pounds of food – here’s one of the truckloads they unloaded:

We also talked to the Nucor managers who were there to help with the delivery; Nucor’s been doing this at holiday time since 1996!

West Seattle High School travelers journey toward $ goal

December 11, 2007 10:05 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A few weeks after we first told you about the West Seattle High School Travel Club working to raise $ to make sure no one’s left behind when they journey to Italy & Greece next year (original report here) — there’s word of progress. First, the club reports last weekend’s rummage sale raised more than $2,000; second, your next chance to help is coming up on Saturday night, when three West Seattle restaurants will donate part of their proceeds to the Travel Club quest — Beato, Puerto Vallarta, and Kokoras Greek Grill.

Paintbrush, anyone?

Just noticed this comment from a local elementary-school principal came in Monday afternoon on this week-old post, so in case you missed it:

Is anyone interested in painting halls in a school? Arbor Heights Elementary School desperately needs a few coats of paint in the hallways. We want to color-code each hall and brighten up the interior. Call me (the principal, Carol) at 252-9250. Thanks!

A message to you: “West Seattle rocks!”

So says the West Seattle Food Bank‘s executive director Fran Yeatts (who you met in this WSB video report last month, if you didn’t already know her in person) — it was the subject line of this e-mail to WSB:

West Seattle is such an admirable community. I say this because of the wonderful responsiveness of our neighbors, businesses and individuals alike, who brought us holiday food and cash donations. With your help we were able to provide food to hundreds of families for Thanksgiving. On behalf of all the infants, children, teens, adults and seniors who rely on the West Seattle Food Bank to make ends meet, we extend our most sincere thanks.

And now – to the Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year’s/Kwanzaa/Solstice season. You can give $ online to the West Seattle Food Bank any time by going here. And here’s what else you can do to help:Read More

If you go to “Gifts,” bring a gift

December 5, 2007 11:29 am
|    Comments Off on If you go to “Gifts,” bring a gift
 |   How to help | WS culture/arts

magiphototwo.jpgTonight is opening night for WSB sponsor ArtsWest‘s holiday production, “O. Henry’s The Gifts of the Magi.” And ArtsWest is asking audience members — and anyone who stops by ArtsWest while the play is running now through December 23 (checking out the art gallery, visiting the box office, whatever) — to bring their own “gifts”: ArtsWest is collecting donations of new books, new toys, new clothing, and diaper packages, all to be donated to WestSide Baby. As ArtsWest executive director Alan Harrison says in an AW press release: “‘Love thy neighbor’ is the credo of the season. O. Henry’s story about Della with the gorgeous hair and Jim with his grandfather’s priceless pocket watch is most famous for its ironic twist, but more than that, it tells us that love is the greatest gift of all. If we can help our neighbors at WestSide Baby by finding a way to supply their children with clothing, a book, or even a new toy, then we’ll all have a loving holiday indeed.” (ArtsWest photo by Matt Durham)

Reader question: Anyone need flood-cleanup help?

December 5, 2007 9:22 am
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 |   December 2007 flooding | How to help | West Seattle weather

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(Monday photo near 26th/Andover by Chris Monsos) The water has receded, but in some places it’s bound to have left damage behind. So Kaydee is wondering:

With all the flooding this week, I feel very fortunate to have not experienced any flood damage but I would like to help neighbors in need. Are there any groups of volunteers organizing this weekend to help neighbors or restore damage to parks caused by this flood?

P.S. To make it easier to find WSB coverage of the flooding and aftermath, we have retagged our reports in a new “December 2007 flooding” category (much like the “December ’06 windstorm” archive).

Reader Recommendation Request: Best place to help

A reader who wants to be anonymous sent this intriguing request for recommendations:

I’m planning a volunteer event for my company—and I’m a West Seattle resident so I’d like to consider ideas from fellow West Seattle residents.

It’s an annual day of service in Seattle or a surrounding community. We’ll have about 300 people volunteering for a full day on a Saturday. In the past we’ve done everything from landscaping, painting buildings, stocking shelves, restoring a school… to getting in the mud and repairing a creekbed in South King County.

In order to be eligible, the non-profit has to have a 501c3 number or be associated with a 501c3. Any suggestions you or your readers have are much appreciated, either in West Seattle or in the greater Seattle area. We’re hoping to volunteer at an organization where we can make the biggest difference in one day, an organization that really needs our help.

As always, please add your recommendation as a comment on this post; you can find previous RRRs, and responses, archived here.

Another way to help West Seattle kids

December 2, 2007 9:24 am
|    Comments Off on Another way to help West Seattle kids
 |   High Point | How to help

school_clipart_books.jpgWhen we discuss community problems and challenges here on WSB, obviously we are all looking for solutions, and full of hope for the future. Hate to be cliche about it, but as that old song goes, “… children are our future.” Even if you’re not a parent or teacher – you can take action to boost our chances of a bright future, by helping more kids realize their full potential, and here’s one way: Be a tutor, 2 hours a week. Erica Ellis, volunteer coordinator for the Youth Tutoring Program, sent this alert:

The Youth Tutoring Program is looking for tutors in West Seattle!

YTP is a non-profit tutoring program that provides one-on-one academic support to students living in low-income housing. We operate five tutoring centers throughout the city. We are in great need of volunteer tutors at our High Point tutoring center located on 35th Ave. SW in West Seattle.

Tutors commit to one evening per week for two hours and work with one student at a time on homework, math and language arts skills. Available sessions are Monday through Thursday from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Many of our students cannot get the homework help they need at home and depend on our tutors for academic support!

Make a difference in the life of a child in your neighborhood. Apply today at www.ytpseattle.org or call 206-328-5659.

Baby, it’s cold outside: Help local families stay warm

As part of Hometown Holidays in The Junction this weekend, junction_ad.jpgthere’s a Warm Clothes Drive under way for area families. As Susan Melrose, executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association, explains: “We are looking for all types of warm clothes to keep all members of our community warm through the winter. Clean out your children’s closet and hand-be-down piles looking for all types of winter clothes including jackets, pajamas, boots, long underwear, sweaters, socks, and more. We will collect these items at Hometown Holidays Headquarters (44th Ave SW and Alaska) all weekend long. WestSide Baby will pick up the loot on Sunday (December 2) at 5 pm. And if you don’t have these items, you can help this organization by bringing diapers too.”

Gifts that keep on giving

West Seattle holiday gifts ‘n’ stuff with an extra punch – plus a request for ideas from you:

poinsettia.jpgPOINSETTIAS TO HELP STUDENTS: Today’s the deadline to get orders in for the Chief Sealth High School Band fundraising poinsettia sale; full details in our original post – we just checked and they DO have some left!

BOOKS FOR WESTSIDE BABY: This Saturday, during Hometown Holidays weekend, Square 1 Books in Jefferson Square is having a unique sale — as described on the Square One blog, “Purchase any children’s book from us Dec. 1-2 for 15 percent off and we will donate the book to WestSide Baby. The books will be distributed to families in need in December.”

CALENDARS FOR CANINES: Wendy Hughes-Jelen, from the High Point K-9 Club and other endeavors, has created the 2008 IGGY Ambassadors Calendar, which she describes further: “Entitled ‘Personal images of the dogs we love, photographed by members of IGGY Ambassadors — Emerald City (Italian Greyhounds of the Northwest)’, it is a large and elegant calendar, something to be treasured by ALL dog lovers.” 16% of the price of each calendar (what’s left after printing costs & the lulu.com publisher’s fee) goes to “help pay for vet bills and other costs associated with the very active Northwest Italian greyhound rescue community.” You can preview the calendar here; you can order it here.

NOW, A QUESTION FOR YOU: This came in as a WSB Reader Recommendation Request but relates to the topic of “gifts that keep on giving” — Adam e-mailed, “In lieu of giving presents, my wife and I have donated money which we might normally spend on presents to some of the many worthwhile charities. We are searching for recommendations for legitimate local charities for Iraq veterans and their families. Any reader suggestions?”