Below please find a link to the signup sheets for the upcoming QFC Food Drives. I included 3 tabs for members to sign up for March 9th, April 13th, and May 18th.
Thank you so much.
–Walker Lefleur
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kvF-Bl5vjsXCMZQwetTKzk6RHy4ruNcuh1IFSVauS8M/edit?usp=sharing
It was hard to comprehend the quantity of garbage and the sad stories that it told.
On Saturday, January 21, 2024, our University Sunrise Rotary Club, along with members of several other clubs (I saw members of the Ballard Club and the Magnolia Club) allied together under the direction of WeHeartSeattle to take on a cleanup of a hill off of Dexter Avenue North. The location was just off the Fremont Bridge.
It was on a hill that was muddy and slippery. It was tough work that lasted several hours.
Frankly, the geography was not huge, but the amount of trash that was picked up was enormous.
I worked with Scott Jamieson and Victoria Wenick in a small area. It was a tiny ravine just large enough at one time for very small shelter that might have been a home to one or two people. There was no evidence that anyone had been there for a long time. This picture shows what the site looked like as we began picking up garbage. It doesn’t look like much–and it wasn’t, on the surface–but it turned out to be many layers deeps.
We filled dozens of garbage bags from this site alone. There may have been a hundred or more wine bottles underneath this. Almost none were broken. They were probably placed to reduce rainwater from entering the shelter or to keep the shelter from being washed down the hill. We worked for several hours on this site.
There were many other volunteers working similar areas.
For the day, our group of 55 people hauled out approximately 10,000 pounds of garbage.
Since 2020, WeHeartSeattle has removed 1,108,700 pounds of trash during 326 trash pickup events. Two hundred people have been helped off the streets, but twelve bodies have been discovered. Rotarians have been an integral part of these efforts since the very first trash pick at Denny Park.
Members of the University Sunrise Rotary Club that took part included President Paul Meehan, Scott Jamieson, Victoria Wenick, Mike Madden, Lincoln Ferris, Andrea Suarez, and myself, Tom Ranken.
WeHeartSeattle is one of the beneficiaries of the annual BIG TASTE fund raiser on March 23, 2024.
“I do this kind of thing because I know that I can’t change the entire world, but I can change small parts of it that make a big difference. For example, we probably picked up hundreds of drug needles. If we hadn’t, how long would it be until a young person suffered a serious incident playing in the woods? We are probably saving lives.” -Tom Ranken
We will again be doing a Toys For Tots drive this year. The time to start is right now. Many of you have already started your Christmas shopping. Just add a toy or toys to your Christmas shopping list. All toys will be collected at the December 3 Holiday Party. Remember, do not wrap your items!
Below are some instructions to help with your toy selection.
–Nancy Bolin
Most campaign sites are able to assist children up to age 12, but in many local communities, local support is such that the age limit may be extended to 14-16.
Toys for Tots does not publish a list of appropriate toys to donate. If such a list were created, most would follow it, resulting in a limited selection of items to distribute in each community. We would rather our donors consider what might be an appropriate gift for their own child/relative, purchase the item, and donate to Toys for Tots.
The Foundation does purchase supplemental toys/gifts for our campaign sites and focuses on these age groups. In the past, items purchased for these groups have included, but are not limited to: sporting equipment/bags/balls; books, backpacks, cosmetics, purses, watch/wallet gift sets, bath gift sets, board games, radio control cars/trucks, hand-held electronics, skateboards/helmets, curling irons, hair straighteners, and hair dryers.
Next Opportunity: Monday, July 17 at 5 pm
Join fellow club members on Monday, July 17 at 5 pm for Teen Feed! We need 6-8 volunteers to help prepare, serve and clean up a meal for young adults in the University District who are facing challenging times. The meal we prepare provides needed nourishment and an opportunity to connect with other Teen Feed volunteers who meet the youth “where they’re at” and help with connections to social support.
Plan to arrive by 5 pm at University Congregational Church, corner of NE 45th Street and 16th Ave. NE. David Mushen leads the group and brings most if not all of the meal ingredients. Volunteers get to put it all together and serve at 6:30 or 7 pm. A quick clean up completes the evening. Enjoy getting to visit with your fellow club members and feel good about your service to this young community!
To volunteer, email David Mushen.
Thanks to Scott and Hal for their leadership for the Block Party, set for July 6! It is a work in progress, but we have a sign up sheet for volunteers activated for this year’s Block Party: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ghp11xkh_jtmSiwx3RHeedtJJKshj7OA1ctcKst47PY/edit?usp=sharing
Queen Anne Greenbelt Trail beautification (#87)
When Sat, May 20, 10am – 12pm
Where Queen Anne – Trail beautification (Meet at Bell Street Park on Bell Street between 1st & 5th, 98706) (map)
Description Serve Day Event #87 – Queen Anne Greenbelt – Trail beautification. The entrance for the pick is off 12th Ave West and Blaine in NW Queen Anne. 1635 11th Ave W offers street parking around entire block. Look for flaggers.
Please sign the waiver here: https://app.waiverforever.com/pending/WrunqCdC4g1613067130
Important day-of phone numbers:
– Tim Emerson, Program Director: (509) 563-9885
– Andrea Suarez, Executive Director: (206) 850-4290
Join We Heart Seattle and more than 50 Volunteers!
Please sign up for the upcoming QFC Food Drive on Saturday, May 27th at 10 am -2 pm https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kvF-Bl5vjsXCMZQwetTKzk6RHy4ruNcuh1IFSVauS8M/edit?usp=sharing
Dear University Sunrise Rotary Club Members,
I hope this email finds you in good health and spirits! As you know, our club has always been committed to serving our community, and I have some exciting news to share with you.
The QFC Food Drive is coming up on Saturday, February 18th,
We have the opportunity to make a difference by volunteering our time to help collect food for those in need.
This is a fantastic opportunity for us to show our support and make a tangible impact on the lives of people in our community. The event will run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and there are several shifts available for us to sign up for. This is a family-friendly event, so feel free to bring along your children or friends to join us.
· 10 AM – 12 PM
· 12 PM – 1:30 PM
· 1:30 PM – 3 PM
If you are interested in signing up, please click on this link to the google signup sheet with your preferred shift and the number of volunteers you would like to bring.
We have three shifts that need to be filled.
We are aiming to have a strong turnout, and I know we can make a real difference with your help. This is an excellent opportunity for us to come together as a club, make new connections and work towards a common goal.
I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on February 18th.
Best regards,
Walker Lafleur
From Nancy Bolin:
To summarize the issue, residents at Mercy and Solid Ground Housing in Magnuson Park are suffering a great deal in our record heat wave. Many at Mercy are elderly or disabled. The residents need fans to get them through this bout of temps and future hot days. Donations are urgently needed.
Here are drop off points:
Resident of N. Windermere: Lynn Ferguson whose address is 6422 NE 60th Street; and
Mercy Housing Community Room, park in curved driveway at 7101-62nd NE (go up the stairs and turn to the right).
Thanks to all who might be able to help.