(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“The Food Bank is awesome!”

That onstage exclamation from West Seattle Food Bank client Alina embodied the mood at the WSFB’s Saturday night Instruments of Change celebration.

The 12th annual celebration of the WSFB’s biggest fundraiser of the year filled the event space at the Seattle Design Center in SODO. And it helped fill the WSFB’s coffers – with silent and live auction bidding, plus Funds for Food paddle-raising, totaling $161,557 before employer matches, WSFB development director Judi Yazzolino reported today.

Also onstage was 18-year WSFB executive director Fran Yeatts, who drew a standing ovation before she even spoke a word. She introduced the staff and board members who help ensure WSFB runs smoothly in the fight against hunger – serving 11,500 people last year alone, some just once, some week in and week out.

She noted WSFB’s services and programs such as the Baby and Child Corner in partnership with WestSide Baby, and the Backpack Program. And she paid tribute to volunteers.

(L-R, CoHo Team’s Tonya Hennen and Cara Mohammadian with WSFB executive director Fran Yeatts)

Yeatts introduced this year’s Instrument of Change award recipients, the CoHo Team of Windermere Agents, whose Cara Mohammadian has been a longtime WSFB board member. She accepted the award, explaining that the CoHo Team was founded almost 20 years ago, and that community support is a vital part of its mission.

Another highlight: The spotlight on Alina, a West Seattle resident who suddenly became a single mom when her marriage “fell apart” after her baby was born. Food Bank programs like the Baby Corner and bookshelf really helped, she said, adding that the stigma attached to seeking help should go away – the community should “be partners together and help each other.” Her backstory was told in a video played before she came on stage to thank WSFB supporters. That stigma had initially affected her: “When I first went to the Food Bank, I was a little ashamed,” she said, coming from an immigrant family that didn’t accept help from anyone. But meeting her daughter’s needs forced her to get over that. “The Food Bank is awesome!” she exclaimed. It provides healthy food “so my daughter’s not eating ramen. … Thank you, every single one of you.”

Food was not only what the night funded; it also inspired some of the night’s generous giving. The dessert dash, for example, saw donors winning delectable creations by WSFB supporters including these three WSB sponsors – West Seattle Thriftway, Metropolitan Market, and Salty’s on Alki.

Live and silent auctions featured an array of items from tableside cocktail preparation by Peel and Press and The Bridge, to a stay at the acclaimed Willows Lodge, to a home taco party catered by Pecado Bueno, to social-event tickets donated by Joe Jeannot, to Backpack Program founder Rosslyn Shea‘s 10-person Kenyan dinner, which went for $1,000.

(The program that provides food that kids can take home for the weekend now serves 14 West Seattle schools!) $1,900 bought a lucky bidder a week in a 3-bedroom luxury condo on the beach at Seaside, Oregon. WSFB board president Ben Viscon of Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) donated, with Duos, a wine dinner that went for $1,400.

The night’s success was in no small part because of community sponsors, and the WSFB acknnowledged them again in today’s wrapup:

Thanks to Nucor, HomeStreet Bank, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, Aegis Living, Viscon Cellars and our entire group of generous sponsors for covering the majority of the cost of this event so that the proceeds can go directly to help the 11,500 individuals that we will serve this year.

Many sponsors were represented among the attendees – here’s Nam Le, West Seattle branch manager/vice president for HomeStreet Bank (which is also a WSB sponsor):

He’s also on the WSFB board, as is Rev. Ron Marshall from First Lutheran:

WSFB partners were there to enjoy the night too – below, WestSide Baby’s executive director Nancy Woodland and husband Tim Woodland:

The WS Food Bank‘s next big event is the Grand Affair cocktail party on September 21st.

Sent on behalf of Girl Scouts Cadette Troop 43779:

Mary sent the announcement, explaining, “The troop is earning their Silver Award by getting the community involved for a good cause.” Wyatt’s Jewelers (2600 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) is at Westwood Village and you can find its hours online; same with Second Gear Sports, which is at 6529 California SW.

(WSB photo from 2018 Instruments of Change)

Two weeks from tonight, the West Seattle Food Bank will honor the CoHo Team of Windermere Agents as its 2019 Instruments of Change Award recipient, at the WSFB’s annual fundraising gala/auction. WSFB says that since the team was created in 2000, “this group of agents has donated over $1.1 million to a variety of non-profits that support housing and community development.” That includes, since 2012, $52,000 to support WSFB’s work to fight hunger. You can help too by attending the 12th annual Instruments of Change celebration May 11th at the Seattle Design Center in SODO, 6-10 pm. To purchase tickets, be a sponsor, or donate to WSFB, go here.

(Junction volunteers Mike and SuzAnne)

The photo and invitation are from the West Seattle Junction Association:

Junction Spring Clean
Saturday, April 27th
9 AM to Noon
Meet at Junction Plaza Park

Spring clean in the Junction. Join fellow neighbors and businesses for the 3rd Annual West Seattle Junction Spring Clean Saturday, April 27th 9 am to 12 Noon. The Junction QFC will supply breakfast, coffee, cleaning supplies, and a nifty volunteer lunch tote.

Activities include picking up litter, stenciling storm drains to prevent water pollution, painting out graffiti, removing invasive plants, and more. Seattle Public Utilities and the Junction Association support volunteers by providing free tools like garbage bags, gloves, garbage grabbers, safety vests, and paint supplies.

Grab a group of people! It’s a perfect time for organizations, businesses or groups to work together on a volunteer project.

There’s something for everyone, kids included! Meet at Junction Plaza Park (42nd and Alaska). No pre-registration necessary, just show up and be ready to dig in.

It’s fundraiser season, with many chances to have a good time for a good cause. Perhaps the most flavorful fundraiser is a month away – but TODAY is your last chance to get tickets at the early-bird discount rate. The West Seattle Helpline‘s Taste of West Seattle fills The Hall at Fauntleroy with local food and beverage providers offering delicious dishes, savory and sweet, 6-9 pm on May 23rd. If you buy your ticket(s) by tonight, admission is $75 – that’s a $20 discount! Just go here.

(WSB photos from May 2018)

Another big event just four weeks away – your annual chance to enjoy an elegant evening helping the West Seattle Food Bank battle hunger. Instruments of Change is coming up the night of Saturday, May 11th. Here’s the official announcement:

The West Seattle Food Bank invite you to join them at their 12th annual Instruments of Change Dinner/Auction, Saturday evening, May 11th, at The Seattle Design Center from 6:00 – 10:00 pm.

This fun evening spent with your neighbors includes a hosted happy hour, specialty cocktails by both Peel & Press and The Bridge, and a silent auction. Guests will then enjoy a delicious dinner by Tuxedo & Tennis Shoes Catering, a dessert dash, a program including the Instrument of Change Award presentation, live auction, and Funds for Food. $125/guest ticket or $1250 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, be a sponsor, or donate funds, go to: westseattlefoodbank.ejoinme.org/IOC.

The West Seattle Food Bank plays an important role in the future of our West Seattle community. Thanks to sponsors like Nucor, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, Viscon Cellars, Aegis Living, and others, all of the proceeds from Instruments of Change, their biggest fundraiser of the year, will go to supporting the numerous food programs and services they provide to the 11,500 individuals they serve in our community.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The largest senior center in Seattle is in the heart of The Junction.

That’s one of the facts served up with breakfast today as Senior Center of West Seattle supporters gathered for its annual early-morning benefit.

The hundreds who filled the Masonic Center for the occasion also learned that SCWS served almost 4,500 people last year alone.

Those who benefit from it aren’t just seniors. It’s the only community center-type facility in The Junction, and that means it’s the scene of countless meetings, gatherings, and events – from Rainbow Bingo to mayoral town halls.

The annual breakfast – this year, themed “Joy Is in the Journey” – has grown so popular, it had to move to a larger venue. But the 11th annual fundraiser was full of the flavor that permeates the center. (Another fact: You don’t have to be a member to use SCWS services.)

Breakfastgoers were serenaded with piano classics as well as ukulele music by The Ukes (Unique Kinds of Entertainers), a Senior Center program. Vice chair Amy Lee Derenthal introduced The Ukes after welcoming guests on behalf of the board. (Apropos to the “journey” theme, they started with “Sea Cruise.”)

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(WSB photo, May 2018)

Morning person? It’s benefit season and some are scheduled at the start of the day – like the Senior Center of West Seattle‘s annual breakfast next Tuesday (April 9th)! Here’s the invitation:

Our 11th annual “Joy is in the Journey” spring fundraising breakfast: Come celebrate spring while supporting the Senior Center.

Come and have fun with us by starting off your morning mingling with good friends, enjoying a mimosa and then enjoy a sumptuous breakfast sponsored by The Kenney.

We moved the event last year to the Alki Masonic Center as we are growing and it was an amazing morning. Please do come and share in the Joy!

We have a goal this year of raising $100,000 to support our operations and programming for 2019. If you’d like to sponsor a table, volunteer, or join us, call Lyle @ 206-932-4044, ext 5. You can also RSVP here.

There are no ticket sales for this event, but we have a suggested minimum donation of $100 the morning of the breakfast. Your table captain will give you all of the details.

Tuesday, April 9th from 7:30 am-9:00 am

Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Ave SW (just 4 blocks from the center with ample parking)

Story, photos, video by Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

“Can you imagine 100 percent of the children in King County safe, warm, and dry?”

That’s one of the questions that created a room full of imagination at WestSide Baby‘s 18th annual CommuniTea – hundreds of attendees urged to imagine, not something fanciful, but something practical that would improve countless young lives.

As the program began Sunday afternoon at the Sheraton downtown, emcee/auctioneer TiWanna “TK” Kenney spoke of celebrating and embracing “what makes WestSide Baby special … (its) vision: Where every child here in King County is equipped with its most basic needs.” Like diapers. “We don’t realize how many people out there don’t have the ability to have their basic needs met.”

The simple goal: That every child will be “warm, safe, and dry. I think we can do that together.” That drew a hearty cheer. WestSide Baby already helps tens of thousands of kids every year – and yet the need is even greater.

The CommuniTea was also an opportunity for humor.

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(WSB photo, Tuesday night)

In discussion following our coverage of the Tuesday night Admiral Way hit-and-run that left a motorcycle rider in critical condition, community members asked how they could help. The family has just announced crowdfunding for 44-year-old Sean Lowry and his daughter Addie. Here’s the link. So far, no new information from police on the investigation; Sean’s family says on the GoFundMe page that he was hit by a driver who “flipped a U-turn.” They also say he is in a coma, with more surgeries ahead.