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Dear community, Last year we made 100 cookie boxes for bloomside as an end of year gift. I admit I had my doubts about pulling it off again without our beloved Vicky Hartley to lead us, but I know she'd want us to not only do it again but do it even better! So this year we are doing end of year gift bags for every resident of Bloomside (if you aren't already familiar with DESC Bloomside, read about it here.) Vicky loved Bloomside and wanted residents there to feel truly welcome in Burien, so that's what we're going to do! Last year we had so many cookies and so many helping hands that this year I thought we'd mix it up and have a few more mutual aid projects going at the same time, to ensure everyone who wants to help has an activity.
When: Saturday, December 20th, 12-5pmWhere: Burien Library Multipurpose Room (AKA Council Chambers)
If you're already tired of reading- sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPndErYqS3ictY6dyOxAtW1pJf44Jny6QSpOWow9XNNhwQwg/viewform
If you'd like more context, read on!
Gifts for Bloomside (bags of homemade cookies, small personal care items like soap, chapstick, lotion, comfort items like fuzzy socks, gloves, coffee, tea and cocoa, and a $25 gift card to a local business or grocery store) Needs:
Cookies! Bake cookies at home and bring in a batch or two. Smaller cookies, a wide variety of flavors/dietary needs, and easy to bag (eg not too messy with icing) are preferred.
Gift items: I don't love Amazon but I've made an Amazon wish list (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1PCQFU5TV0NTH?ref_=wl_share) to help us track the kind of bulk items we'll need. Keep in mind we need to make each bag as equal as possible (but if you're buying items for the bags don't feel like you have to buy all 100 - the idea is a lot of people contributing what is manageable). The wishlist is set up with my address- you can ship items to my home or bring them on the day! (and please feel free to shop elsewhere)
Postage stamps (forever stamps preferred) to help folks send holiday cards to their family (and support the USPS!)
I've also placed an order for handmade soap from a local soap maker.
Gift Cards: I want to support local businesses AND help bloomside residents feel welcome to shop. We're looking to get 100 $25 gift cards to local businesses or grocery stores. Please get them in exactly $25 amounts and please sign up with what you're bringing (I'll be using funds to buy the rest). Ideas for businesses to support: Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Fred Meyer, Burien Press, Three Trees Books, Page 2 Books, Frenzi, Goodwill, The Little Chicken Burger, Make me a Sandwich, Classic Eats - (This is not a complete list, and feel free to suggest your favorites, but try to aim for place where $25 will still be meaningful and ideally not too far from Bloomside.)
Baby Kits for the Burien Community Fridge: we will be bagging diapers (generously provided by Westside Baby) and baby wipes to go in the community pantry for low-income parents. Menstrual hygiene supplies (especially maxi pads with wings) and non-perishable food will also go to the pantry.
Survival kits for Wednesday Night Supper Club: Finally we'll be gathering some comfort items (Hand warmers, gloves, hats, ponchos, first aid supplies, soft cereal bars, electrolyte packets, etc.) for neighbors currently experiencing homelessness to be distributed by the Wednesday Night Supper Club.
FAQ:
Q: I can't come! How can I help?
A: Send supplies from the amazon list, or send funds (Venmo @kelsey-vanhee, email me for Paypal/other payment options) I'll share the total raised and what it goes to at the end- but all funds will go to supplies for this drive.
Q: Can I bring my friend?
A: YES! This event is open to the public and free for anyone to join. Please share the event on Facebook, the graphic (attached) on your social media, or the signup sheet with anyone you know who might want to help.
Q: I am boycotting Amazon- can I buy supplies elsewhere?
A: YES! Please do! Just let me know what you're buying so we can plan accordingly!
Q: Do I have to stay the whole time?
A: NO! If you plan to drop off supplies please aim to do so between 11-12, but if you plan to help pack kits you can drop in and out any time between 12-5pm. Delivery to bloomside will be at 5:30 and we'd be super grateful for vehicles to help with that!
Q: I have a business and I'd like to donate supplies or gift cards: A: YES! Thank you! Please email me!
Q: I want to donate but you seem sketchy, are there nonprofits I can donate to instead?
A: YES! Mutual Aid is about solidarity outside of the traditional charity network. But we have some great local nonprofits and if you'd rather make a tax-deductible gift please feel free to support DESC, Seattle Community Fridge, Alimentando al Pueblo, Westside Baby, Highline UMC, or The Wednesday Night Supper Club with a cash donation and support their important ongoing work instead. Any funds you venmo me are not tax deductible but they will be used for this drive.
Q: Can I bring my kids to the event?
A: YES! These activities should all be kid-friendly (and if they get really bored with us, there is always the rest of the Library!) We cannot supervise children for you, please ensure a parent is present the whole time.
Q: I have a mutual aid/nonprofit that would like to distribute baby kits. Can we?
A: Please email me! We will likely have more kits than we can handle so I will plan to take some to the South Park Sharing Shed as well as the Burien Community Fridge but if your organization would also like to distribute, please let me know and we may be able to arrange that!
Have any other questions? Call or text me at (425) 299-2721, email me directly, or drop a comment /suggestion/question/concern in the sign up form!
Kelsey
[email protected]
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Burien Library, 400 SW 152nd Street,Burien, Washington, United States
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