How to help 4482 results

DRUM ROLL … Final numbers from two events we covered this weekend

October 27, 2025 8:22 pm
|    Comments Off on DRUM ROLL … Final numbers from two events we covered this weekend
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

For those who appreciate numbers … updated results from two of the events we covered while they were in progress over the weekend:

(Sunday photo by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)

CHILI COOKOFF: The West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival‘s tastiest event brought in $5,700 for the West Seattle Food Bank, WSFB’s Robbin Peterson tells WSB. (If you missed the winner announcement in our as-it-happened festival coverage on Sunday – The Westy got the most votes, followed by Husky Deli and Easy Street.)

(Saturday photo by WSB’s Anne Higuera)

DRUG TAKEBACK DAY: Southwest Precinct fill-in crime-prevention coordinator Matthew Brown reports that on Saturday, “We collected 7 boxes filled with a combined total of 168.6 lbs of unused and expired medications. It was extremely successful.” Look for the next opportunity in about half a year.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: West Seattle Monster Dash raising $ for co-op preschools Saturday morning

October 24, 2025 8:19 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: West Seattle Monster Dash raising $ for co-op preschools Saturday morning
 |   Halloween | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

The mascot awaits hundreds of runners of all ages tomorrow (Saturday, October 25) morning at Lincoln Park! The weather won’t stop this year’s West Seattle Monster Dash, 9:30 am in the central upper park, with the starting line near Shelter #1 (as shown in this park map). It’s a fundraiser for the West Seattle Cooperative Preschools and it’s not too late to register – the Monster Dash 5K is at 9:30 am, and the Kids’ Dash is 10:30 am. Lots of fun family activities too. Costumes encouraged!

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Saturday fundraiser for A Cleaner Alki at West Seattle Eagles

(File photo courtesy A Cleaner Alki)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

More than six months after learning a critical grant would not be renewed, community-cleanup group A Cleaner Alki is still working on new ways to keep their efforts around the peninsula and beyond going strong.

“We have to figure out how to make it sustainable,” says founder Erik Bell, who is continuing to support 4-6 cleanups a week, despite “burning my candle at both ends.” The funds from a 2-year Department of Ecology grant ran out in June.

Bell says the group is now counting on the continued support of some long-time monthly donors. Some others have employer matches to their donations and there is occasionally a corporate group who does cleanup as a public service, but he’s feeling the funding gap. He recently met with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka to talk about potential new sources of funding, and is open to community input about grants that might be a good match for ACA. Donations are made through the non-profit Seattle Parks Foundation, which serves as its fiscal sponsor – that does not mean bankrolling the group, just helping it process donations.

This weekend ACA is getting a boost of community support from a Saturday night dinner at the West Seattle Eagles (4426 California Ave SW). This is the second fundraising dinner put on by Anne and Ron Weglin, who did the first in July. They’ll have teriyaki chicken with rice, marinated cucumbers, and key lime pie available from 5:30-7 pm. You don’t need to be a member to attend and a live band is scheduled to play after the dinner. (Dinner is $14/cash per person, all ages until 10 pm.)

Bell will also be tabling at the upcoming Joiner Jamboree, a gathering of 40+ community groups and clubs on November 8 that West Seattleites can learn about and consider joining. The Jamboree takes inspiration from the documentary “Join or Die,” which is being shown the previous night, and explores the correlation between thriving democracies and how much citizens connect with each other by joining clubs and associations. “It speaks so much to what we’re doing and how people are feeling,” says Bell. When he started ACA several years ago, he had in his mind that the cleanup would be the main goal. But he was surprised to find that it’s turned out, “The cleanups are a byproduct of doing community-building and fellowship. We’ll get some stuff done, but you’re talking to the person next to you. It’s what’s missing in our society: Making connections, knowing your neighbors, feeling that your civic duty is to make your community better.”

For more information about A Cleaner Alki, including a link for donations, go to ACA’s website. “Join or Die” will be screened Friday, November 7, at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation (7141 California Ave SW) from 7-9 pm; doors open at at 6:45 pm with a discussion following the movie. The Joiner Jamboree will be Saturday, Nov. 8 at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California Ave SW) from 11 am-3 pm.

YOU CAN HELP: One-day Alki Beach blood drive with perks

If you can donate blood, here’s a West Seattle drive to consider – Alki Beach, next Sunday (October 26), lots of perks from beach businesses! The Alki Community Council jumped in to help Bloodworks Northwest line up donors – you can register here before the slots are all filled (those remaining are between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm). If you want to check the promised perks first, the full invitation has the list.

COUNTDOWN: Here’s who’s new – and what’s new – at West Seattle Harvest Fest 2025 chili cookoff Sunday

October 20, 2025 9:02 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Here’s who’s new – and what’s new – at West Seattle Harvest Fest 2025 chili cookoff Sunday
 |   How to help | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

As mentioned again last night, big Halloween-season events are ahead next weekend, none bigger than West Seattle Harvest Fest in The Junction on Sunday (October 26. Again this year it’ll include a chili cookoff with local luminaries serving up tasting flights for your votes, benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. Here’s WSFB’s rundown of what and who’s new at this year’s cookoff:

(WSFB 2024 pic. Buy tix in same spot this year but get chili inside ArtsWest)

West Seattle’s coziest competition is back! The West Seattle Food Bank’s Annual Chili Cookoff returns Sunday, October 26th as part of the West Seattle Junction Association’s Harvest Fest, featuring nine local purveyors going head-to-head for the title of Best Chili in West Seattle.

A $20 ticket gets you a flight of nine chili samples—one from each competitor—and a vote token to cast your ballot for the community favorite. All proceeds from the Chili Cookoff directly support West Seattle Food Bank programs to prevent hunger and homelessness.

This year’s competitors:

Café Osita – new this year
Easy Street Café – defending their 2024 title
Elliott Bay Brewing
Husky Deli
Margie’s Café at the Center for Active Living
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce – new this year
Shadowland
The Neighborhood – new this year
The Westy Sports and Spirits

Big thanks to ArtsWest for letting us use their lobby to keep our chili hot while we serve! New this year – chili will be served inside the ArtsWest lobby to stay warm and delicious, while payment, tasting, and voting all take place outside amid the Harvest Fest fun.

Stirring Up Good

The West Seattle Food Bank continues to serve as a critical lifeline for thousands of neighbors. In the past year alone, the Food Bank distributed over 2.2 million pounds of food through its onsite distribution, mobile pantry, and home delivery programs.

23,450 individuals were served, including thousands of children and seniors.
The Backpack Program provided weekend meals for 14,656 local students, a remarkable 63% increase over FY24, and a poignant sign of how many families are struggling.
Beyond food, WSFB provided rent and utility assistance to 726 households, helping 1,774 individuals remain safely housed.

At The Clothesline – WSFB’s free clothing bank – more than 100,000 pieces were distributed, helping maintain dignity and warmth for more than 14,000 individuals. Every chili flight you purchase helps the West Seattle Food Bank keep families fed, housed, and supported through challenging times.

Event Details:

-Sunday, October 26th, 2025
-11 a.m. until the chili runs out
-ArtsWest – look for the WSFB Harvest Fest booth there!
-$20 for a 9-sample flight + voting token
-All proceeds benefit the West Seattle Food Bank
-Come hungry, bring friends, and help us keep our community strong!

More festival details are here.

Got a little time to make a big difference? Invest in Youth still needs volunteer tutors at Roxhill and Sanislo

October 17, 2025 9:15 am
|    Comments Off on Got a little time to make a big difference? Invest in Youth still needs volunteer tutors at Roxhill and Sanislo
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Tutoring is about to start for local educational nonprofit Invest in Youth but they’re still short tutors for students at Roxhill and Sanislo elementary schools. If you can give a little time to make a big difference here in West Seattle, here’s how!

We have students lined up by their teachers as those who they believe will most benefit from our one-on-one tutoring program but we still need tutors.

Roxhill Elementary at E.C. Hughes, Tuesdays 2:40 – 3:40 pm

Sanislo Elementary, Mondays 2:40 – 3:40 pm

Tutoring starts soon and runs through May 2026. If you can commit to one hour a week and you’re interested in connecting with your local community to narrow achievement gaps for neighborhood students we want to hear from you!

You’ll meet one day a week with the same student in the classroom with other student-tutor pairs, and work on math and reading fundamentals, all while serving as a mentor to foster lifelong academic success.

No experience is necessary; just a commitment to show up for one hour, one day a week.

Visit our website for more information or complete our tutor application to begin tutoring this fall.

YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer for Fairmount Park Elementary’s Falcon Fest

October 14, 2025 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Volunteer for Fairmount Park Elementary’s Falcon Fest
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The Fairmount Park Elementary PTA is signing up volunteers for the upcoming Falcon Fest and asked us to publish this invitation:

Fairmount Park’s annual fall festival, Falcon Fest, is Friday Nov 7 and we need your help to make it a magical event for our students and families! Whether you’re great at games, crafts, decorating, or just bringing the energy, there’s a spot for everyone. Volunteering is a fun way to support the school, meet other parents & students, and be part of the community spirit.

Sign up today to volunteer or bring a dessert dash item and help us create an unforgettable evening of fall fun! 🍁 Shifts are only 1hr so you have plenty of time to enjoy the festival with your family. Dessert for dessert dash are prizes to take home and enjoy. This is also a great volunteer opportunity for Fairmount Park Alums in middle or high school and their friends. Questions? Email volunteer@fairmountparkpta.org.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Yale Whiffenpoofs sing Sunday in West Seattle to support Endolyne Children’s Choir

In case you haven’t already seen this in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – the a cappella Yale Whiffenpoofs return to West Seattle this Sunday for a concert raising funds for the Endolyne Children’s Choir:

On October 12, the nation’s oldest collegiate a cappella group, the Yale Whiffenpoofs, will present a special performance in West Seattle, hosted by the Endolyne Children’s Choir (ECC). This concert will be the Whiffenpoofs’ only Seattle stop on their 2025 World Tour, making it a truly exclusive event.

After a memorable performance with ECC last year, the Whiffenpoofs are excited to return to West Seattle. Endolyne Children’s Choir singers are thrilled and honored to once again share the stage with this legendary ensemble.

In a generous show of support, the Whiffenpoofs are donating a significant portion of the concert’s proceeds to support ECC’s mission of providing inclusive, transformative choral education to young singers.

Since their founding in 1909, the Whiffenpoofs have performed a diverse repertoire of vocal jazz, folk, pop, and Broadway hits for audiences on all six inhabited continents. They’ve performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the White House, captivating listeners including U.S. Presidents Obama, Clinton, Reagan, and both Bushes. They’ve also appeared on popular television shows such as The Sing-Off, The West Wing, and Glee.

One of the central messages the Whiffenpoofs share during their global tours is that music can create extraordinary opportunities for young people. This special performance aims to inspire the next generation of musicians, encouraging them to pursue their passion for music.

Endolyne Children’s Choir is a non-audition, community-based choir, based in West Seattle since 2003. ECC empowers young singers to build confidence, form lasting friendships, and develop performance skills. ECC singers enrich the local community while fostering a lifelong love for music and the arts.

The concert is at 6:30 pm Sunday, October 12, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW) and tickets are available here.

YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle High School food drive starts today!

October 9, 2025 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle High School food drive starts today!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Starting today and continuing until the end of October, the West Seattle High School food drive welcomes community help – here’s the announcement:

Please support West Seattle High School’s annual food drive Thursday, October 9-Friday, October 31. All proceeds go directly to West Seattle High School students.

The community can make donations directly to the school’s food fund by following the QR code (on this flyer) or by dropping off food and clothing to West Seattle High’s historic entrance off Walnut Ave SW at 3000 California Ave SW on Monday October 13, 20, and 27 from 4-6 pm.

YOU CAN HELP: Dine-out benefit at Circa – rain-delayed M’s game too

October 7, 2025 1:00 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Dine-out benefit at Circa – rain-delayed M’s game too
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

1 PM: Just heard from Circa (2605 California SW; WSB sponsor), where they’re having a dine-out benefit for the West Seattle High School Cross Country team all day/night – and, Circa co-proprietor Bill tells us, “Yes, we will have the Mariners game on!” (Game 3 of the American League Division series, the M’s at Detroit, starts in a few minutes.) Circa is open until 10 pm tonight.

1:08 PM: The game’s in rain delay. But the Circa WSHS XC benefit continues regardless!

4 PM: The rain finally lifted in Detroit and the game’s about to start.

7:33 PM: In case you haven’t heard, the Mariners won, 8-4, and lead the best-of-five series 2-1! And the dine-out benefit still has 2 1/2 hours to go.

YOU CAN HELP! Explore fall/winter volunteer possibilities at Tuesday night gathering in Admiral

October 6, 2025 7:02 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Explore fall/winter volunteer possibilities at Tuesday night gathering in Admiral
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

The Admiral Neighborhood Association has recovered from a summer full of fun events, and is getting ready for what’s planned this fall and winter. It all runs on volunteer power, and that means you! So if you can help, here’s where to be Tuesday night, as a first step:

Tuesday, October 7, at 6:30 … @ West Seattle Realty, 2715 California Ave SW. You’ll meet the coordinators for our Fall and Winter events, explore the opportunities to volunteer, and get yourself plugged in.

YOU CAN HELP: First Lutheran Church fills ‘Cup of Blessing’ for West Seattle Food Bank – featuring WS trivia!

October 4, 2025 4:56 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: First Lutheran Church fills ‘Cup of Blessing’ for West Seattle Food Bank – featuring WS trivia!
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Just two weeks until this fun fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank! From First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

Cup of Blessing Dinner Returns October 18, 2025 with West Seattle Trivia

The First Lutheran Church of West Seattle is delighted to host the annual Cup of Blessing Dinner on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:30 PM. This beloved community event raises vital funds for the West Seattle Food Bank and provides a warm evening of fellowship, fun, and outstanding food.

This year’s theme, “West Seattle Trivia,” will bring a local twist to the evening. Guests are encouraged to brush up on their neighborhood knowledge as trivia questions are woven into the program, making for an interactive and lively atmosphere.

Attendees will enjoy a delicious buffet style dinner from Ivar’s Acres of Clams, featuring entrées such as salmon and chicken with delicious sides.

Robbin Peterson and Serena Streitman will be representing the West Seattle Food Bank, and will be the evening’s guest speakers, sharing updates on the organization’s work in addressing food insecurity across the neighborhood. With rising demand for assistance, every ticket sold makes a direct impact.

In addition to the dinner and trivia, guests can participate in a Dessert Dash, a spirited race to bid on and claim delectable desserts, as well as a raffle offering fantastic prizes. Every aspect of the evening is designed to bring people together while raising money for an essential cause.

The Cup of Blessing Dinner is about more than just a meal, it’s about building community, sharing fellowship, and making a tangible difference for our neighbors in need.

You are Invited! Tickets are available now at bit.ly/CupofBlessings2025. Seating is limited, and 100 percent of proceeds — including ticket costs — go directly to the West Seattle Food Bank.

YOU CAN HELP: Fauntleroy Fall Festival’s last call for volunteers

October 3, 2025 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Fauntleroy Fall Festival’s last call for volunteers
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2024 festival)

The Fauntleroy Fall Festival is two weeks from Sunday, and we’ve mentioned before that it runs entirely on volunteer power and donations. If you can help out at the festival this year, organizers would be thrilled to have you on the team. That includes young volunteers: “Students who have a volunteer hours requirement, we’re more than happy to sign their documentation that they volunteered to help the community.” The festival is 2-5 pm Sunday, October 19,in and around the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, Church, and YMCA. Go here to see what help is needed and how to volunteer!

CAN YOU HELP? After-school educator seeking snack donations

If kids are hungry, it’s harder for them to learn. A local educator hopes you can help prevent that problem among the students with whom she works. Sent by Cheyanne Chadwick:

I run an after-school program at West Seattle Elementary that focuses on STEM skills through project-based learning. It’s been an incredible experience! As part of the program, I serve my students a snack to fuel the young scholars between lunch and dinner. However, I’ve encountered a challenge I need help with.

Last year, a 5th-grade student left the after-school program because she was hungry. A single bag of popcorn, crackers, or veggie sticks wasn’t enough to satisfy her growing body until dinner. And she wasn’t the only one. I hear from students daily about wanting more and have observed the distracted, lethargic behavior that comes from hunger. It makes sense because 80% of students at WSE are eligible for free lunch.

It’s unacceptable to me that a student misses out on free STEM education because of hunger. This year, I am working to provide more snacks for my students. This is a significant expense, made more challenging by expanding my program into TWO after-school classes (one for 2nd/3rd graders and one for 4th/5th graders), which means I’ll be serving twice as many students.

I hope West Seattle residents might have the means and ability to donate some individually packaged snacks (ideas and suggestions below). I’m happy to pick up in the West Seattle area if folks email me at cheyanne.chadwick@stempaths.org, or they can drop off items at the front office of West Seattle Elementary (just tell the office assistants it’s for Cheyanne).

Regarding dietary restrictions, most of my students can’t have pork, so items with gelatin should be avoided.

Donations at any time:
Veggie straws
Goldfish crackers
Pirate’s Booty
Fruit leathers (check for gelatin)
Animal crackers
Fruit snacks (check for gelatin)
Z-bars
Nutri-Grain bars
Pretzel crisps
Baked chips
Donations at specific times (to prevent spoilage due to surplus):
Apples or apple slices
Baby carrots
Bananas
String cheese
Yogurt cups

WSB readers have helped Cheyanne’s students before – most recently, with a request for a local baker to help with a science project: “I was blown away by the number of folks who reached out! West Seattle is such a fantastic place to live, and I’m very, very grateful.”

COUNTDOWN: Five days until Destination Delridge!

September 28, 2025 11:19 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Five days until Destination Delridge!
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

Friday night (October 3), you are invited to support DNDA – a nonprofit working on a variety of fronts in eastern West Seattle – by attending Destination Delridge at DNDA’s headquarters in Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Here’s the newest update from DNDA:

Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka will join a moderated community panel as part of Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association’s flagship fundraiser Destination Delridge.

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA) is hosting Destination Delridge on Friday, October 3 at the Thelma Dewitty Theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, which will feature the panel discussion, speakers, and other activities. The event will run from 6p to 9p at Youngstown.

Saka is one of three participants in a panel discussion, which will be moderated by Shannon Woodard, president of DNDA’s Board of Directors. Woodard is a seasoned community leader, guiding conversations that center equity, collaboration, and actionable solutions.

Also on the panel will be Jaebadiah Gardner, founder and CEO of Gardner Global, a real estate development firm focused on equity-driven projects that empower communities of color, and Faven Berhe, owner of Hagosa’s House, a Delridge-area cafe and community hub dedicated to cultural connection.

This year, DNDA will bring together supporters, neighbors, artists, and advocates for an evening of connection, storytelling, and impact. Nucor Steel Seattle is the 2025 Presenting Sponsor for this event. DNDA and Nucor have a longstanding relationship rooted in shared values of environmental stewardship and community engagement. From hands-on restoration projects to sustained financial support, Nucor’s commitment to the Delridge neighborhood continues to make a real and lasting difference.

DNDA is a non‐profit organization devoted to social, racial and environmental justice. We are dedicated to preserving and increasing affordable housing for a range of incomes, enhancing the natural environment, and providing such vital resources as arts and cultural opportunities, education and youth programs for our neighbors. Our programs for affordable housing and wetland restoration have become models for other communities.

You can get tickets by going here.

PREVIEW: This year’s unofficial West Seattle mini-walk for Alzheimer’s, with new starting point

Again this year, West Seattleites who can’t or don’t want to go downtown for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s are invited to join an unofficial local mini-version the same day. It’s still in Gatewood, but with a different starting point this year. Here’s the announcement from organizer Pat:

Our local Walk To End Alzheimer’s is on October 4 (Saturday) – 9:30 am

Meeting at the water tower (35th and Myrtle) on Myrtle (different meeting spot than in past years)

We’ll do a mainly level walk along 35th, length negotiable!

It’s a great chance to connect with others and show support for this disease. (It’s the same day as the Seattle walk at Seattle Center. The West Seattle Alzheimer’s Caregivers support group welcomes all who want to stay in the West Seattle neighborhood and still show support. (You don’t need to sign up, but if you want to, go to the ALZ website and find your way to the West Seattle group.)

Free event. WEAR Purple if you have it!

=Here’s a map to 35th/Myrtle.

YOU CAN HELP: Got some flexible hours in your day? Center for Active Living seeking more volunteer power

September 25, 2025 12:28 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Got some flexible hours in your day? Center for Active Living seeking more volunteer power
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(Center for Active Living’s HQ, Sisson Building, photographed by Holli Margell)

A little volunteer power goes a long way, and the Center for Active Living in the West Seattle Junction could use a little more! Here’s the people-power wish list we received from Danny Perez:

The Center for Active Living (formerly the Senior Center of West Seattle) at 4127 SW Oregon St is currently in need of volunteers to fill various positions. Volunteers can enjoy connecting with fellow volunteers and seniors in a friendly, relaxed environment. The Center is seeking to fill the following volunteer positions:

Critical need: dishwashers on Tuesdays from 10 am-2 pm, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 am-2 pm; rinse and load a commercial-grade dishwasher

Café Attendant: Wednesdays 8:30 am-12 pm, or Thursdays from 11 am-2 pm, take customer orders and prepare sandwiches and salads in The Center’s onsite café

Dining Room Attendant: Thursdays from 10 am-1 pm; Serve beverages and prepared meals to seniors participating in our Community Dining program

Retail Sales Clerk/Cashier: provide general customer assistance in The Center Thrift Shop

Westside Friends: provide companionship and support to seniors in their home location in West Seattle

Must be 18 years of age or older, and shifts are generally weekdays during the day, and can be two to three hours in duration. Flexible scheduling options are available. To apply, click the following link to complete a volunteer application: Volunteer – The Center for Active Living or email dannyp@wscenter.org

LAST CALL! Hours left to get Taste of West Seattle tickets. Plus, see the map to plot your tasting strategy

Tomorrow’s the night – the Taste of West Seattle, raising much-needed money for the West Seattle Food Bank and giving you the chance to sample dozens of local restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries, and cafés’ specialties! We just checked in with WSFB’s Robbin Peterson for the final word in the final hours of advance ticket sales:

Pre-sale tickets are still available for the Taste of West Seattle — but only until midnight tonight! A limited number may be available at the door, but with nearly sold-out attendance, the safest way to secure your spot is to grab tickets now.

This year’s Taste is more than a food festival —it’s a West Seattle neighborhood celebration. Local restaurants, breweries, and bakeries are stepping up to share the best of our community. Here’s the map showing who will be where at The Hall at Fauntleroy:

On top of incredible bites and sips, guests can Have Fun & Do Good with community-powered games:

Plinko for Prizes

and

Raffle baskets loaded with gift cards from favorite West Seattle businesses and restaurants.

All proceeds benefit the West Seattle Food Bank’s programs — from groceries and home delivery to rent and utility assistance—keeping our neighbors and neighborhoods strong.

VIP entry is at 5:30 pm, general entry at 6 pm. You can also see the list of participating venues on this page, where you can get your advance ticket(s) until late tonight. WSB is a community co-sponsor this year; we’ll see you there!

HALLOWEEN: Host a cabin at Camp Long’s Trail or Treat!

September 24, 2025 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on HALLOWEEN: Host a cabin at Camp Long’s Trail or Treat!
 |   Halloween | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo)

The start of fall means Halloween season is nearing too, and we’re starting to receive announcements about this year’d events. Among them, one month from tomorrow, Camp Long will again host Trail or Treat – and right now it’s looking for organizations to host and decorate cabins! From Camp Long’s Matt Kostle:

Right now we are looking for organizations to volunteer to host cabins at the event as this event happens in collaboration with public and private organizations. The way it works is each organization “hosts” a cabin by providing some volunteers/staff and treats to hand out while we set up the lighted trails and pathways along with some interactive activities! This is a family-friendly event and has been quite popular the last two years we have done it, bringing in around 1000 people each time! Here’s a link for organizations to sign up to host cabins! Once we get a better idea of how many organizations are participating this year we will send out an updated flyer and map of the event with organizations logos as available. Organizations are also able to decorate the cabins in whatever festive ways they like (keeping in mind that it is family friendly so not too scary) and can hand out/provide whatever info they want about their organizations to the public visiting for the event!

Date set for fall Duwamish Alive! – one day, many ways to help Seattle’s only river and those who depend on it

September 23, 2025 3:15 pm
|    Comments Off on Date set for fall Duwamish Alive! – one day, many ways to help Seattle’s only river and those who depend on it
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2024)

Set your calendar for Saturday, October 18, one of two days a year when hundreds of volunteers work simultaneously in multiple areas along the Duwamish River and in its watershed – Duwamish Alive! You can register early for some of the events. Here’s what organizers asked us to share with you:

Duwamish Alive! Saving Our Salmon, Saves Our Orca
Saturday, October 18th 10 – 2 at Multiple Local Sites

Join Duwamish Alive! this fall as our salmon are returning in our Duwamish River and Longfellow Creek, with this watershed-wide effort in improving the health of our salmon by restoring their habitat, which provides food, shelter, and cool, clean water that salmon need. Volunteers will be restoring native habitat in multiple urban parks and open spaces by removing invasive weeds, planting native plants, removing debris, and learning about healthy habitat. This is a family-friendly event, all ages welcomed and encouraged. Tools and instruction are provided.

Can’t volunteer? Visitors are welcome to view the river and the returning salmon at həʔapus Village Park, learn about the river, its ecosystem, salmon and how to care for this special place. Stop by the informational tables and find out why we say this is a “pink” year.

We are honored to help steward these locations which are the ancestral lands and waters of the Duwamish Peoples who have been here for thousands of years.

To volunteer, visit DuwamishAlive.org to see the different volunteer opportunities and register for the site of your choice, or email info@duwamishalive.org

Many of the sites are in West Seattle. Those ready to accept volunteer registrations now include this one.

CAN YOU HELP? Spaces remain in special West Seattle blood drive honoring Susie Tennant

If you can donate blood, here’s a special chance to do it in West Seattle! We checked and as of this morning, spaces remain in this one-day drive announced just before the weekend:

SMASH Seattle & Music’s In Our Blood are coming together to honor Susie Tennant (RIP), a beloved member of the Seattle music community, with a blood drive on Sunday, October 5, from 9 am-3 pm in the West Seattle Junction.

We’re joining forces with our friends at Easy Street Records, Sub Pop Records, Top Pot Doughnuts, Molly Moon’s Ice Cream, the West Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Market, the West Seattle Junction and the Tennant/Swenson Family to celebrate her legacy and save lives.

Our collective goal is to sign up 48 West Seattleites to donate blood, enjoy free swag, eat sweet treats, and be part of this special tribute.

Blood donors must sign up ahead of time at this link: donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/98124

Each blood donor will receive:

(1) Limited-edition West Seattle Hard Core Susie Tennant t-shirt, donated by Sub Pop
(1) Limited-edition Musics In Our Blood t-shirt
(1) Scoop of Molly Moon’s Ice Cream
(1) Top Pot Doughnut or Coffee
(1) Easy Street Records sticker

Blood Drive facts & inspo

-It takes 1,000 blood donors every day to maintain blood inventory at our local hospitals.
-Only 62% of the population is eligible to donate blood – for a variety of reasons – and of those, only 3% donate blood.
-It takes 1 hour to donate 1 pint of blood that could save 1-3 lives. (15 minutes to give blood, and 45 minutes for paperwork and prep).
-Every 2 seconds someone in our country needs a blood transfusion.
-You can donate blood every 56 days.
-When you donate blood, you’ll also find out your blood type, which is good to know in case you need blood in an emergency.

Susie’s been gone since early last year. If you didn’t know her, this remembrance talks about her life.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Two ways to help the environment Saturday – Recycle Roundup in Fauntleroy, Coastal Cleanup on Alki

September 19, 2025 11:06 am
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: Two ways to help the environment Saturday – Recycle Roundup in Fauntleroy, Coastal Cleanup on Alki
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

Two more quick weekend previews – both for events happening tomorrow (Saturday, September 20):

FAUNTLEROY CHURCH RECYCLE ROUNDUP: Those are the first big collection containers to arrive from 1 Green Planet (DTG is its parent company) for tomorrow’s Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). 9 am-3 pm Saturday, ride up, walk up, drive up with items on this list for free dropoff. Organizers just have one request: Don’t wait till the last hour if you can possibly get there sooner!

ALKI BEACH CLEANUP: As part of the International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers will spend two hours cleaning up Alki – details here. To help, show up at Alki Bathhouse at 10 am Saturday.

Here’s what West Seattle’s only shelter needs now

Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle remains the only shelter in West Seattle. It runs on donations and volunteers, and here’s a list of what they need now:

Westside Neighbors Shelter opens every morning of the year to provide people with a hot breakfast, a place to shower, and other necessities. Even in the summer, we’ve been serving between 30 and 50 hungry people each day. Keith reports that we are out of almost everything, and consequently spending more money every week to keep going. Can you help? Here are the most-needed items right now:

Regular and instant oatmeal
Instant hot chocolate mix
Powdered coffee creamer
Ground coffee
Krusteaz pancake mix
Bisquick
Cup-o-Noodles and Ramen
Potatoes
White and brown sugar
12 oz paper hot cups (no lids)
16 oz paper bowls
10” paper plates
Paper towels and napkins
Men’s socks, underwear, t-shirts
Disposable razors, travel-size shaving cream and toothpaste

You’ll find these items (and more) at our wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2M8BX6UMZBG4H?

Or, toss a few of these items in your cart next time you go shopping, and bring them by the shelter between 7 and 11 am any day of the week!

Find out more about the shelter at westsideneighborsshelter.org.

Thank you so much!