Showing posts with label volunteers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteers. Show all posts

Openings for volunteers on LFP board, commission, and committee

Sunday, March 17, 2024

The City of Lake Forest Park has openings for adult and youth on several citizen groups. 

Civil Service Commission – one full-term vacancy, six-year term, generally meets in the morning, as needed.

Climate Action Committee - there are two college/ high school student positions available on the Climate Action Committee. Both are partial terms that expire on February 28, 2025.

Tree Board - terms are for three years and there are two partial term vacancies; one expires February 28, 2025 and the other expires February 28, 2026.

If you would like to apply, complete the online application.

More information about these advisory bodies is available here. If you have additional questions about any of the positions, please call City Hall, 206-368-5440.


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RBCC Players scheduling auditions for “Mary Poppins”

Monday, March 11, 2024

Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, and astonishing stagecraft.

The RBCC Players are gearing up for a production of this timeless classic for an opening date of June 7, 2024.

Auditions will be on March 24 - 26 with callbacks if needed on April 1, 2024

To schedule a time, follow this link

The cast will be announced on April 8 and rehearsals will begin on April 13 with a schedule of Saturday mornings, Sunday afternoons, and Monday - Wednesday evenings (not all cast members will be called to all rehearsals).

The Performances will be on June 7, 8, 14, and 15.

We are also looking for volunteers to help with
  • Set design, build, and stage crew.
  • Stage manager
  • Choreographer
  • Light and sound design and running
  • Costume and props helpers
  • Marketing and PR
Have an interest in one of these, email us at rbccplayers@gmail.com.

We perform and rehearse in the

Bill McLaughlin Theatre (west side, lower level)
Richmond Beach Congregational Church
1512 NW 195th St, Shoreline WA 98177

Showtimes
  • Doors 7:00pm • Show 7:30 pm Fridays & Saturdays
  • Doors 1:30 pm • Show 2:00 pm Saturdays
Tickets for Mary Poppins 
  • $20 for Adults
  • $15 for Students and Seniors.
  • All seats are general admission 

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A Day in the Life of a Dental X-Ray Station Volunteer at the Seattle/King County Clinic, February 16, 2024

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Dental treatment area

Story and Photos by Doug Cerretti

Note: See links below for previous articles on the Seattle/King County Clinic

4:50 am: The alarm rings although my internal time clock already had my eyes open. I do not normally get up this early but I think about the patients at Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center who are in line for tickets as early as the night before waiting for them to be distributed at 5:30am. It was very cold last night so the doors were opened early so they could line up inside.

5:40 am: I depart Shoreline for the Mercer St garage where parking is free for volunteers. I am surprised how much traffic there is on I-5 this early.

Calling the next patients
6:05 am: I arrive at McCaw Hall for the volunteer check-in, volunteers checking in volunteers, and get my lunch ticket. I go upstairs to the volunteer breakroom for breakfast where they have coffee, tea, fruit, cereal and pastries. I met my good friend Carrie there. Carrie had been volunteering at SKCC for many years. I had “recruited” her last year and this year to the dental X-ray station. She found this job very interesting.

6:30 am: Dental triage orientation at Exhibition Hall. This is mostly for the dental professionals to go over the treatments available for the patients and to fill out the forms. As a General Support volunteer, basic computer skills are required for the dental x-ray station.

Panoramic x-ray machine
7:00 pm: Unexpectedly, both Carrie and I are assigned to the panoramic “pano” X-ray station where x-rays are taken that image all of your teeth. We enjoyed this time to catch up.

7:15 am: Patients arrive: 430 dental, 300 vision and 80 medical tickets were distributed at 5:30am. All were claimed by 7:00am.
Dr. Bob and Teri
10:00 am: It’s mid-morning and we have been going for four hours with the hustle and bustle of about 1000 volunteers and 750 patients this day. The controlled movement of people is amazing. Every patient is escorted to point A to B to C, etc. 

For dental, patients are escorted from ticket distribution to Expedition Hall, then to dental check-in, dental triage, triage checkout, dental treatment and finally dental checkout. If they need additional work, they repeat the process the next day.

Ten Dental Triage and Five X-ray Stations
11:30 am: Lunch at the Armory Loft where I get a chance to chat with other volunteers.

12:00 pm: I start substituting for other X-ray station volunteers as they go to lunch.

2:35 pm: Starting to feel tired but things are so busy you don’t think about it and time flies.

X-ray Station serving Triage 3 and 4.
3:00 pm: After substituting I settle into the dental X-ray station for triage 3 and 4.

4:30 pm: We see the last patient, #430, go through triage. Some of us hang around as the dentist performing treatment may need additional x-rays.

5:15 pm: Depart SKCC for home after 11 ½ hours. I repeated this process for two additional days. It wasn’t bad working that long each day. Next year I will volunteer all four days.

Epilogue 

You really have to be there to see the scale of the SKCC. A final accounting will be published in a couple of weeks but the four-day event will have seen over 3000 patients with the aid of about 4000 volunteers. 

It’s fortunate that we have SKCC but it is also unfortunate that we need SKCC. I believe medical care is a right, not a privilege. Society needs to determine what is important, healthcare should be on top of that list.

Volunteers Carrie, Holly, and Molly - volunteering is a joy

Volunteering for SKCC is very rewarding and I recommend it for all. Some of the volunteers work all day as I did but many jobs only require half-day shifts. Medical professionals are greatly needed but I would hazard to guess that over half of the volunteers are General Support requiring basic computer skills such as the dental X-ray station, escorting patients, filing patient records, volunteers checking in volunteers or maintaining the break room for example. There is a job if you are willing to help.

One of great benefits of volunteering is meeting the other volunteers many of whom I have seen year after year and some who were there at the first SKCC in 2014. 

Mark your calendar, the next SKCC is April 24-27, 2025. Please consider volunteering, as it is a joy.

See previous articles on SKCC in Shoreline Area News.

https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2022/10/the-seattle-king-county-free-vision.html

https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2023/08/volunteering-at-huge-free-seattle-king.html


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Community Work Party at Twin Ponds North Saturday, March 9, 2024

Sunday, March 3, 2024


You Are Invited To Join Us

Community Work Party at Twin Ponds North

Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 9:30am - 12:30pm

On March 9th, from 9:30-12:30, the Washington Native Plant Urban Forest Stewards will be hosting a community work party at Twin Ponds North.

We meet on the far NW side of the park, along 155th street, west of the parking lot.
Bring water, and a snack, and if you have them, gloves and hand pruners. We will have gloves and other tools, if you do not have them.

Please share this invitation with others, and if you have any questions, please contact us at northtwinpondsrestoration@gmail.com

We Welcome Everyone!


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Meet the osoberries of Hamlin Park and become a forest steward

Friday, March 1, 2024

Osoberry twigs in winter have prominent buds
ready to be the first to bloom at the Hamlin Park
restoration site - photo by Oliver Moffat
By Oliver Moffat

If you took a walk in Hamlin Park in February, you may have been surprised to see little white flowers blooming.

Although the climate has changed, osoberries have been blooming in early February in the Pacific Northwest for thousands of years.

The Lushootseed name is c’əx̌ʷədac, and is one of the earliest native plants to bloom flowers in our region - providing a vital source of nectar to hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators after a long winter.

Also sometimes called indian-plum, osoberries can be identified by their red bark and prominent buds ready to bloom in the winter.

Osoberry shrubs (Oemleria cerasiformis) are remarkably hardy and form dense thickets that make it one of our native plants that can compete with noxious weeds at the Hamlin Park restoration site. It likes disturbed, dry areas with sunlight which makes it particularly good for habitat restoration.

Osoberries fruiting in June in the Hamlin Park Forest Restoration Site are technically edible but not particularly palatable to humans - photo by Oliver Moffat

Although mammals such as foxes, coyotes, deer, and bear eat the berries, the berries have large pits and are not widely regarded as particularly palatable for humans.

Stewards with the Green Shoreline Partnership host work parties in parks across the city where volunteers can help expand and protect our public forests. Work parties are a great way to meet your human neighbors while also getting to know the flora who live in your neighborhood.

The Green Shoreline Partnership is training new stewards now. Neighbors can attend a training on Friday, March 29, 2024 from 3pm to 6:30pm at Shoreline Community College. More information and details are available at the Green Shoreline Partnership website.

The Hamlin Park stewardship team hosts work parties most Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.


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Volunteers needed for LFP Tree Board and Climate Action committee

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Would you like to help shape the future of the City of Lake Forest Park? 

If so, consider applying for a position on one of our advisory bodies. 

In addition to partial-term vacancies on the Tree Board and Climate Action Committee, there are also two alternate member positions available on the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and Tree Board.

Tree Board - terms are for three years and there are two partial term vacancies; one expires February 28, 2025 and the other expires February 28, 2026.

Please email Assistant Planner Elizabeth Talavera with questions.

Climate Action Committee - there are two college / high school student positions available on the Climate Action Committee. Both are partial terms that expire on February 28, 2025.

Please email Environmental and Sustainability Specialist Cory Roche with questions.

If you would like to apply, please complete the online application. More information about our advisory bodies is available here.

If you are interested and would like to watch meeting videos for the advisory bodies, they are available here.


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The Ching Community Gardens begins

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

After the sale of the property closed, volunteers met at the garden to discuss plans - but couldn't keep their hands off the weeds. (L-R) John Darrow, Jim Walseth, Sarah Garrard, Kathleen Lumiere, and Pam Ching-Bunge. Photo courtesy Ching Community Gardens

By Kathleen Lumiere

After nearly three years, GROW, a P-Patch land trust organization, has successfully purchased the former home of the Ching family in Shoreline. This achievement marks the end of a long process filled with doubts and setbacks, and it is the joyous beginning for what will become the Ching Community Gardens: an Asian American heritage site, food forest, and P-Patch (1)

The idea originated during the pandemic when, like many people, I went for a lot of walks. This exploration led to an ardent appreciation of the plants and animals in the forests and tidelands of Shoreline. Particularly, I fell in love with a neglected property north of my home close to Shoreline College.

Initially, an abundance of ripe plums near the property line drew my attention. On closer inspection, I discovered a hidden orchard of fruit trees, including heirloom apples, Asian pears, figs, grapes, and persimmons, tangled in thick layers of prickly blackberries and holly. The rich dark earth seemed to invite any seed to grow.

In what’s known as a food forest, fruit trees provide structure. Other plants that work well together are folded into the design, making a productive ecosystem with multiple layers. These layers often flower and fruit at different times, providing beauty, pollinator habitat, and food throughout much of the year. In addition to perennial food plantings, annual/vegetable gardening is also possible in a food forest or permaculture system (2).

(L-R) Sarah Garrard, Maryn Wynne, Pam Ching-Bunge.
Photo courtesy Ching Community Gardens
This abandoned, overgrown property on Greenwood Avenue North had ideal elements for a food forest: established heirloom fruit trees, grape vines, and phenomenal soil.

During this time, neighbors told me about the property's previous owners, Joe and Jennie Ching. They had created remarkable gardens and shared their bounty. 

An obituary for Joe Ching revealed his and his family's extraordinary story, how, as a Chinese American, he joined up to serve in the army right after Pearl Harbor and how Jennie, working as a nanny in California, had been sent to a Japanese concentration camp in Arizona. After the war, they met and married in their home state, Hawaii. 

Having learned to cook in the army, Joe worked in a restaurant where he met Peter Canlis. This connection led the young Ching family to Seattle to help establish the flagship Canlis restaurant.

Seeking a safe home to raise their children, the Chings looked to Shoreline, but they encountered the barriers of redlining and racially restrictive covenants. 

So Joe's employer, Peter Canlis, bought the property after finding out if the neighbors would welcome an Asian family. Peter sold it in turn to Joe and Jennie.

Steve Lindjord, a middle school student in 1957, remembers the day the Chings moved in next door. He said he was instantly struck by what wonderful people they were. "They were so sweet and so warm and so welcoming." And, in the twelve years he lived there, "that impression never faded."

The family's daughter, Pam Ching-Bunge, distinctly remembers many weekends with everyone digging rocks out of the ground before Joe and Jennie transformed the land from a hard, stony lot to a lush "garden of Eden." They would be featured multiple times in Ed Hume's long-running television program, Gardening in America. 

Joe spent nearly every morning tending to his vegetables and experimenting with new organic gardening methods before heading to work as head chef at Canlis. Jennie cultivated the flowers she then used in ikebana (traditional Japanese floral arrangements). Pam described the rows and rows of canned vegetables Jennie would put up throughout harvest season.

Jim Walseth pitted his strength against a vine wrapped in the little tree.
He won. The vine looked to be about 15' long
Photo courtesy Ching Community Gardens

People in the neighborhood still talk about the Chings’ hospitality. Steve Lindjord said a few years after they moved in, the Chings "had a huge party, a luau because they had come from Hawaii. They invited all the neighbors, and everybody had a great time. They dug a big pit in the backyard and filled it with hot rocks and banana leaves for cooking." He said, "Every time I went to the Chings’, they fed me."

Motivated by Chings' warm and inclusive legacy, the area's history of redlining, and the possibilities hidden in the overgrown property, I proposed a community garden in a letter to the Shoreline City Council in the spring of 2021. The goal was to honor the Chings and the many contributions of Asian Americans to our communities, especially during a time of increased racism and anti-Asian violence. The garden seemed like a way for us all to acknowledge the past and grow something beautiful together.

The proposal gained immediate support from Diane Hettrick at the Shoreline Area News, who suggested writing an op-ed piece. Before that article came out in April 2021, I contacted Pam Ching-Bunge. On the phone, she said she was moved to tears by the idea. From then on, Pam was present in many ways at every stage of the process. Shoreline Area News (SAN) readers, neighbors, Shoreline College, and Sky Nursery expressed strong interest. A group formed to make the community gardens a reality.

One SAN reader reached out to the Canlis family, and Brian Canlis called to learn more about the project and the history of the Ching family. After the Canlis brothers decided to help make the garden happen, Mark Canlis stepped forward as their family member on the team. One of the first things he did was to reach out to Shoreline College, opening up many opportunities for partnership, which are now underway.

Michael McNutt from GROW arranged fiscal sponsorship and much more. Board members Maryn Wynne, Londa Jacques, and John Ruby agreed that Diggin’ Shoreline be our "boots on the ground" sponsor; both sponsoring organizations already had non-profit status. P-Patch organizers Glenn Herlihy from Beacon Food Forest and Cindy Krueger from Ballard P-Patch gave invaluable advice ranging from how to grow wapato (a native tuber) to how to write a grant proposal.

(L-R) King county councilmember Rod Dembowski; Kathleen Lumiere; Chief of Staff to Councilmember Dembowski Kristina Logsdon; and core supporter Mark Canlis.
Photo courtesy Ching Community Gardens

With the kind and expert guidance of Conservation Futures director Ingrid Lundin, the folks above, and others, the group navigated the grant process, requesting $1,200,000 from a public fund to preserve open spaces. We got the grant! Cori Whitaker, a real estate agent who knows and loves Shoreline, helped us make an offer in the summer of 2022.

Negotiations with the property's owners, Adair Enterprises in Lynnwood, stalled. They did not wish to sell for less than they would have made from their plan to develop the property and carry on their family business and livelihood.

At this point, King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, a pillar of support throughout, stepped in to help find the necessary funds. Again, we thought we had enough and then were told sorry, but no. Advised to get a comprehensive fair market appraisal, we did so with the capable assistance of Lori King, an acquisitions agent for the county. In April 2023, the appraisal came in at $1,860,000 – more than we had.

Treasures continue to grow amongst the weeds
Photo courtesy Ching Community Gardens

At this point, rather than waiting another year through a grant cycle and likely seeing the property's value go up again, the Canlis family stepped in with a bridge loan from WaFd to make up the difference between the total from previous grants and the fair market value. Coming full circle, the generosity and willingness of the Canlis family to extend themselves brought to life in the present what their grandfather had done in the past.

Once the bridge loan was in place, Lori King led negotiations culminating in a formal offer from GROW to Adair Enterprises. In September of 2023, it was accepted. The sale was finalized on December 29, 2023. And on December 31, 2023, people from this first phase of the gardens met on the property to celebrate and ended up doing an enormous amount of weeding.

A quote by Rod Dembowski sums it up:

 "The Ching Garden is a symbol of resilience and triumph over obstacles. Were it not for the openness of neighbors, a racially restrictive covenant would have prevented the Ching family from establishing their home and garden and sharing it with community. 
"Now community, led by Kathleen Lumiere with the support of the Canlis family and others and backed by King County's Conservation Futures levy, is making it possible for this culturally important legacy to be preserved and brought to life again to provide a place of reflection and learning for future generations. 
"I'm so thrilled to have helped secure funding for this important project and look forward to seeing this important garden restored."


Photo courtesy Ching Community Gardens

Now, work parties organized through Diggin' Shoreline will make it possible to set foot on the property legally. A team of people involved in the acquisition phase of the project is moving ahead to formulate a clear mission and vision, preserve historically valuable plants and artifacts, get rid of the invasive blackberries (a perennial project), and design and build the food forest and raised beds. 

If any of this interests you, please let us know through the Ching Community Gardens Interest Form or contact Diggin' Shoreline. Like the Chings, we welcome you to the garden!

Financial contributions for projects and maintenance are needed and welcome. To donate, please visit our fiscal sponsor, GROW. Specify that it's for Ching Gardens in the "Apply My Donation To" box.

_______________

(1) A "P-Patch" is a term commonly used in this area to refer to a community garden or urban gardening plot. The "P" in P-Patch stands for "Picardo," the name of the first community garden established in Seattle in the 1970s. Over time, the term "P-Patch" became a term for any community-managed garden space where individuals or groups can rent or maintain small plots of land to grow vegetables, fruit, or flowers.

(2) The Beacon Food Forest is a great example of this mixed food forest and raised bed method.


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2024 free health clinic at Seattle Center February 15-18 - volunteers still needed

Monday, February 5, 2024


The Seattle/King County Clinic starts in a couple weeks! 

Free medical, vision, dental care at Seattle Center, February 15-18, 2024. 

Volunteers are still needed for general support, interpretation, social work, and medical/dental/vision services. More information and sign up HERE.


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Volunteers needed for LFP boards, commissions, and committees

Friday, January 26, 2024

unsplash.com
Help the LFP community by volunteering. There are currently several vacancies on the City’s advisory bodies.

If you would like to apply for any of these openings, please complete the online application.


Civil Service Commission

Duties of the Civil Service Commission include establishing eligibility lists for hiring, reviewing candidate applications, and making hiring recommendations for the police department.

Qualifications to serve as a commissioner: 
  • must be a resident of the city for at least three years immediately preceding appointment and 
  • be at least 25 years old.
The commission meets as needed, usually in the morning.

Terms are for six years and there is one full-term vacancy that expires February 28, 2030.

Email Human Resources Director Shannon Moore with questions.


Climate Action Committee

The purpose of the Climate Action Committee is to gather and analyze climate information and draft a Climate Action Plan for recommendation to the City Council. Regular meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm and are held in a hybrid format with virtual attendance via Zoom and in-person attendance at City Hall.

There are two college / high school student positions available on the Climate Action Committee. Both are partial terms that expire on February 28, 2025.

Email Environmental and Sustainability Specialist Cory Roche with questions.


Library Advisory Committee

The Lake Forest Park Library Advisory Committee serves as a liaison between the Lake Forest Park Library, City Council, Mayor, the LFP community, and the King County Library System.

Meetings are held quarterly in March, June, and September on the fourth Wednesday of the month and in December on the first Wednesday. Meetings begin at 7:00pm and are held at the Lake Forest Park Library.

Terms are for three years and there is one full-term vacancy that expires on February 28, 2027.

Email Deputy City Clerk JoAnne Trudel with questions.


Tree Board

The Tree Board provides advice to the City Council on policy and regulatory issues involving trees, provides outreach and education to the community on tree-related issues, and organizes and facilitates public events involving trees.

The Tree Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm. Meetings are hybrid—on Zoom and in-person at City Hall. Board members must live within or own property within the city limits of Lake Forest Park.

Terms are for three years and there is one partial term vacancy that expires February 28, 2026.

Email Assistant Planner Elizabeth Talavera with questions.


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Volunteer "chefs" needed at St. Dunstan's to help feed the hungry

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Kitchen volunteers at work at St. Dunstan's
Photo courtesy St. Dunstan's

For over ten years St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Shoreline has held a weekly Community Dinner every Tuesday, serving a buffet in the parish hall and delivering hot meals to four homeless encampments in Shoreline and Seattle. 

A dedicated group of volunteers, both parishioners and generous friends and neighbors, puts this on as a way to show God’s love to our community and especially to those in need. Altogether we feed 250-300 people every Tuesday.

A buffet is served every Tuesday in the parish hall
Photo courtesy St. Dunstan's

Our beloved head cook, Dan, needs to take some time off for health reasons. One or two volunteers are needed, perhaps a retired couple with extra time, to fill in overseeing our Tuesday Community Dinners. Experience in a commercial kitchen is not required; we will gladly train you.

Food is delivered to four homeless encampments
Photo courtesy St. Dunstan's

Duties include planning the weekly menu; gleaning food donations from local agencies; meal preparation and cooking on Mondays at the church with a team of volunteers; and supervising cooking, distribution of hot food to homeless camps, and serving of a buffet dinner at the church on Tuesdays. 

This is a substantial time commitment, but Dan will be available some of the time to provide guidance.

Can you and a partner or friend step forward to help? Or do you know someone who fits the bill? Interested people can contact St. Dunstan’s at 206-363-4319 or office@sdchp.org or email Deacon Alan Christensen

St. Dunstan's is located at 722 N 145th St, Shoreline WA 98133


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Local non-profit seeking volunteer Social Activities Committee leader

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Kristine, one of NNN Board Directors at our 2023 Member/Volunteer picnic

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution to volunteer more to help your community? Here’s a great volunteer opportunity to help your neighbors continue to age well in their own homes. 

As Northwest Neighbors Network (NNN) prepares to celebrate our 5 Year Anniversary this year, we’re looking for a new chairperson for our Social Activities Committee! We have a strong team of enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers on the committee, and are looking for a new committee chair in the new year.

It’s here! Your year to make a difference in combating social isolation for your neighbors. 

In this non-profit leadership role, you will lead an interactive team of volunteers in continuing the great framework put in place over the last four years. 

We’re looking for a new committee chairperson for the new year, and ideally you’ll bring your leadership skills and organizational skills to help ensure our calendar runs smoothly. 

You’ll be helping the committee support current activities and exploring new activities for our members to stay socially engaged. If leading meetings, running reports, writing/editing newsletter articles is your passion, this may just be what you’ve been waiting for. 

You’ll volunteer from your own home, and report team status updates to the Board of Directors and work closely with our Director of Community Operations and Outreach. While some reports are due each month, you get to set your own schedule of volunteering your time.

NNN serves Edmonds, Woodway, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

Our mission is to create neighborly connections, fostering engagement, and empowering seniors and adults with disabilities to thrive in the place they call home. 

We achieve this mission by providing a community of dedicated NNN volunteers who help seniors and individuals with disabilities on a wide range of neighborly tasks such as transportation and household chores. 

In addition, NNN offers a rich array of social connections and educational opportunities that support our neighbors’ desires to thrive in place.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact NNN’s Board President, Suzy Chandler: suzy@northwestneighborsnetwork.org.

Visit the website or Facebook page

--Suzy Chandler


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Vision professionals needed for King County Health Clinic

Wednesday, January 10, 2024


The King County Health Clinic is in need of vision volunteers for the giant, free clinic at Seattle Center on 
  • Thursday February 15
  • Friday February 16
  • Sunday February 18
We want our 9th year be the best yet, however our vision volunteer numbers are not adequate at the moment. We need YOUR help to provide essential care, and we can use your fellow staff members’ and professional contacts' talents as well.
  1. For those who are already signed up, thank you! Can you do an additional day? Can you recruit others to join you?
  2. If you have been intending to sign up, please do so now and encourage others too!
  3. If you cannot attend this year, consider finding someone to fill in for you.
Spread the word, and lets get this clinic fully staffed



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Consider volunteering for the Seattle King County Clinic Thursday, February 15 – Sunday, February 18, 2024

Friday, January 5, 2024

By Doug Cerretti

Consider volunteering for the Seattle King County Clinic Thursday, February 15 – Sunday, February 18, 2024

Seattle/King County Clinic (SKCC) brings together healthcare organizations, civic agencies, non-profits, private businesses and volunteers from across the State of Washington to produce a giant free health clinic at Seattle Center, February 15 – February 18, 2024.

February's Clinic is fast approaching, and SKCC has multiple areas that are not fully staffed. The number of patients the clinic can see are directly dependent on how many volunteers we can gather. 

Expertise in medical, dental and vision care is a plus but not required as there are many volunteer positions in General Support that only require your willingness to help or at most some computer skills or a second language. 


Can you or someone you know sign up in any of these roles? Volunteering for SKCC is a very rewarding experience. Spread the word and be one of approximately 4000 volunteers to treat over 3000 patients at: seattlecenter.org/volunteers.

Between 2014 and 2023, 27,000+ volunteers helped to provide more than $23 million in care to 27,000 patients.

The Clinic is a major function of the Seattle Center Foundation and is held at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109. 

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Recruiting Point in Time (PIT) Count volunteers

Friday, December 29, 2023

Photo courtesy KCRHA

The King County Regional Homeless Authority (KCRHA) is now recruiting community members to help complete the count by volunteering at Point-in-Time (PIT) Count Hub locations.

From January 22 – February 2, 2024, the KCRHA will be completing the annual PIT Count. This is a count of the number of unhoused people across all municipalities, as mandated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The data collected from this count is used to inform HUD on funding for programs and services.

This year, KCRHA and the University of Washington (UW) have received approval from HUD to use a different method for the PIT that extends the previous one-night count to two weeks.

Volunteer Details: 
  • Shifts of up to 4 hours from January 22 – February 2
  • Locations spread throughout King County
  • Training is provided prior to the PIT Count
  • Positions available: Surveyors/Interviewers, Hub Site Leads, Supply and Tech Support
If you’re interested in volunteering, please click here to learn more, and click here to sign up.

Please sign up to volunteer by January 5, 2023.

2024 PIT Count Information


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Sew Thoughtful Sews Baby Quilts

Friday, December 8, 2023

Volunteers 
Photo courtesy Snoco CTA
The Snohomish County Clothing and Textile Advisors (CTA) invite those in the community who sew to join them in making quilts for babies. 

The quilts will be donated to the Lake Stevens Resource Center. LSRC is located in Lake Stevens and partners with Volunteers of America. The staff and volunteers empower people and strengthen the communities in need.

CTA members will meet from 10am to 2pm at the Cedar Valley Grange in Lynnwood on Friday, December 15, 2023 to sew the quilts. 20526 52nd Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036

Kits and patterns will be provided and you are the designer. Choose from the pre-cut cotton fabric squares for the colors and designs to make a one-of-a-kind quilt.

Bring your sewing machine and accessories, lunch and beverage. Hot water is available.


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Miyawaki Forest cools flora, fauna and folks: Shoreline Historical Museum invites you to Planting Day, Dec 9, 2023

Sunday, December 3, 2023

By Bruce Scholten

Urban trends can be heartwarming. We smile at lovers’ padlocks left on walkways to Seattle’s ferry terminal. Graffiti sometimes turns into murals brightening streets, cafes and businesses.
Nice, you say. But how about a trend that actually cools urban heat islands to fight global warming? 
Enter Miyawaki Forests. The idea was developed by the late Dr Akira Miyawaki, who was hired by Nippon Steel Corporation to landscape its new steelworks. 

For various reasons, the selected plants and trees failed to thrive. The Japanese botanist thought about Nippon’s most durable species, realizing they inhabited ancient temple gardens. Miyawaki researched the flora and fauna that pre-historically preceded the steelworks.

Voila! They flourished. Not only did the right combination of plants grow well, they did so 10-times faster than alternatives. Soil amendments improved fertility, spurred growth and increased water retention – a safety valve against flash floods in an unruly climate.

Thus, the Miyawaki Method was born, with native plants, slugs, bugs and butterflies - cooling cities. 

Densely planted indigenous plants and trees sequester carbon and emit more oxygen for human breathability. Garry oak trees nudge three meters in height in just three years, baffling sound. The roar of diesel buses and clank of garbage trucks is hushed by rustling trees. People enjoy the quiet – even spiritual - solace of an urban green oasis.

Volunteers with dirt for the pollinator hill
Photo by Sally Yamasaki

Shoreline Historical Museum’s Miyawaki Forest project

With a team of volunteers, Shoreline’s Miyawaki Forest project received generous funding from sources including Puget Sound’s Environmental Rotary Club, and Rotary Clubs of Emerald City, Lake Forest Park, Mill Creek, and Shoreline. Also Miyawaki Forest Friends, King County Conservation District (KCD), SUGi Project, 4 Culture, and Diggin’ Shoreline.

Volunteers are developing 4800 square feet adjacent to the Shoreline Historical Museum, just south of the City of Edmonds.

Guiding Shoreline is architect Ethan Bryson, who in 2016 founded ‘Natural Urban Forests.’ The goal is improving habitability for Seattle’s people, plants and creatures. He envisions Miyawaki forests in the Yakama Nation, in Ellensburg, and in Seattle. 
Bryson says, ‘I was contacted by Shoreline Historical Museum Society member Matt Tullio and we discussed various possibilities for creating forests for the community in Shoreline.’

Part of the Miyawaki magic is quick improvement to local air and soil quality. What about status as a climax forest? Bryson said, ‘Dr. Kazue Fujiwara has said these forests can reach maturity in 60 years as opposed to about 200 years.’

Volunteers create pollinator hill
Photo by Sally Yamasaki

MIYAWAKI URBAN FOREST PLANTING DAY - December 9, 2023, Saturday 10am – 2pm.

Shoreline Historical Museum invites the public – people of all ages – to 18501 Linden Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133, on December 9, 2023, Saturday 10am – 2pm.

10:00 Forest Dedication, 11:00 Forest Planting Begins, Refreshments! Kids’ Activities and Tours!

For more information, contact museum volunteers


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Help plan the future of Shoreline by serving on the Planning Commission

Friday, December 1, 2023

Photo by Jason Goodman on unsplash.com
The Shoreline City Council is looking for volunteers to serve on the Planning Commission for four-year terms beginning in April 2024. 

The volunteers who serve on the Shoreline Planning Commission provide recommendations to the City Council on land use, growth, and development issues.

The Commission addresses key questions that affect the quality of life in Shoreline, such as: 

  • How should we balance new commercial and residential development with the desire to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods? 
  • How do we plan for a future that includes light rail? 
  • How can we encourage developers to use green building practices and provide affordable housing? 
  • How will the City allow alternate housing types that fit within our established neighborhoods?

No technical background or experience in land use is required. Important qualifications are an ability to listen and work well with others; a willingness to prepare and read staff reports prior to the meetings; and a commitment to regular attendance and active participation at the meetings. Candidates must live or own property in Shoreline. The City compensates Commissioners for their time.

Application details

If you are interested in applying, fill out a Community Service Application. You can also pick up a copy from City Hall. Submit your application by email to clk@shorelinewa.gov or mail it to:

City of Shoreline, City Clerk
17500 Midvale Avenue N
Shoreline, WA 98133

You can also drop it off in person at the City Clerk’s Office on the first floor of City Hall. Applications are due by 5:00pm on Friday, January 5, 2024.

MORE INFORMATION

shorelinewa.gov/plancom
Senior Planner Steve Szafran
sszafran@shorelinewa.gov
206-801-2512


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Green Shoreline Day - volunteer in a Shoreline Park

Wednesday, November 29, 2023


Green Shoreline Day, Saturday December 2, 2023 in parks throughout the City.

This is the first year for this event. The volunteers who shepherd each park will have up to 100 native plants that need to get into the ground on this day.

One potential problem of having all the events on the same day: there are people who routinely volunteer at more than one park. They will have to choose and some parks will be short-handed. Brugger's Bog is one location that struggles for volunteers. Northcrest could use some help, too.

Map of park locations

Details and sign up at each park link. Most events are 10am - 1pm but may vary by location.

Darnell Park

12/02/2023
Darnell Park

Echo Lake Loves Native Plants
12/02/2023
Echo Lake Park

Shoreline Park
12/02/2023
Shoreline Park

Brugger's Bog
12/02/2023
Bruggers Bog

Help Us Plant Native Trees!
12/02/2023
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Northcrest Park
12/02/2023
Northcrest Park

Hamlin Forest Restoration Site 
12/02/2023
Hamlin Park

North City Park
12/02/2023
North City Park

Tree Planting Celebration
12/02/2023
Boeing Creek Park

Winter planting
12/02/2023
Twin Ponds Park

Join us! Weekly Sunday Work Party
12/03/2023
Twin Ponds Park


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Northwest Neighbors Network - a great place to volunteer

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

This holiday season consider giving yourself the gift of connection to some wonderful members of your community. That's what happens when you volunteer with Northwest Neighbors Network. 

You can do it at the times your life allows without the pressure of a regular schedule. 

As a volunteer for five years, helping seniors remain in their own homes by assisting with yard and household tasks, I've crossed paths with fascinating people I would otherwise never have met.

What do NNN Volunteers Do? *Transportation *Shopping/Errands *Light Cleaning *Help with Trash/Mail *Social Visits/Walking Partners *Simple Repairs*Tech Assistance and More! 

Serving people in Northern King County and South Snohomish Counties.

Find out how to get involved; email danie@northwestneighborsnetwork.org or call 253-237-2848

--Anne Guthrie


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Sign up now to help with the free Seattle - King County Clinic on February 15-18, 2024

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

2018 dental clinic
Photo by Doug Cerretti

The @Seattle/King County Clinic will offer free medical, dental, and vision care on February 15-18, 2024. Many volunteers are needed for interpretation, general support, dental, medical, vision, and social work.

The more volunteers there are, the more patients can be served. Consider signing up for this rewarding experience: seattlecenter.org/volunteers

Volunteers Make a Difference

  • Between 2014 and 2023, 27,000+ volunteers helped to provide more than $23 million in care to 27,000 patients
  • Watch our outreach and volunteer videos for an inside look at the Clinic
  • Follow Seattle/King County Clinic on FacebookInstagramLinkedIn, and Twitter

Read more...
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