Photo courtesy Union Gospel Mission.

On Sunday, July 24^th, the Union Gospel Mission’s Lighthouse Apartment building, located at 9820 Des Moines Memorial Way, burned down in a huge three-alarm fire, leaving 41 low-income residents homeless.

Everyone was able to get out, but two people were sent to Harborview Medical Center with injuries. Both are said to be recovering well.

“We lost everything…” said one former resident.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP
We’ve done this a couple times before (read about our fundraising for the victims of the 2008 Tara Apartment fire here, and the Buckley Family here), and we’d like to ask our Readers to do what they can to help these poor folks, many of whom have lost everything.

According to the Union Gospel Mission website, of the 41 displaced residents who watched all of their belongings go up in flames, only one had renters insurance. Most didn’t have car insurance beyond liability – 9 cars were damaged and 5 completely destroyed.

These people no longer have transportation to commute to their jobs.

Also, Becci Surgz Harrison is pitching in – here’s a message she sent us through Facebook:

I just feel it necessary to try to help if I can I am coordinating donations.

Here is a list of immediate needs but obviously they need much more:

• Tube Socks
• Household items
• Non-perishable food
• Mattresses/box springs (twin, full, queen): gently used, no rips or stains
• Gift cards (grocery, Target, Fred Meyer, shoe stores)
• Razors & shaving cream
• Bottled water (individual size)
• Men’s clothing (jeans and khakis particularly needed)
• Full size toiletry items
• Bath linens

Please email me surgzpromotions@gmail.com for more info.

Thank you!

Here are other ways to help:

• Shelter. Everyone was set up with emergency shelter just hours after the blaze started, but more permanent housing is needed.  Please contact Gary if you can help provide shelter for displaced residents.
• Donate Now. Funds raised will help those impacted by the fire.
• Gift Cards for Target, Fred Meyer, grocery and shoe stores.  Mail to:
• P.O. Box 202
  Seattle 98111
  Attention: “Lighthouse Apartment Fire”
• Gifts in Kind. Drop-off clothing, house wares, toiletries, etc. See complete list of needs or contact Linda at 206.723.0767 x405.

To learn more, please contact Gary at 206.723.0767 x441.

As May nears its gray, drizzly and at times way-too-cold end, it’s hard to believe that the 4th of July is just over a month away, which means we’re entering the final stretch of fundraising for Burien’s annual Three Tree Point Fireworks Fund.

As you can see in the photo above (taken Tuesday, May 31st), this year’s goal is $24,000, but the total raised thus far is only $12,500 – Organizers still need to raise $11,500, or nearly 48% of the total required to fund this great local tradition.

If you’ve already donated, Organizers shout-out a huge “THANKS for your generosity!” in your direction.

If you haven’t, you can either do it online safely and securely by clicking here:

(Safely & Securely with a Credit Card)

Or by sending in a check made out to “Three Tree Point Fireworks Fund” to:

Three Tree Point Fireworks Fund
P.O. Box 385
Seahurst, WA 98062

This is a non-profit, all-volunteer based organization, and its sole mission is to help continue a great community tradition.

Money raised for this annual event will go towards fees for the professional pyrotechnics firm that puts on the show, as well as barge, tug, security, insurance, permit fees and dumpsters for the all-important 5th of July clean up.

Please note that you do NOT have to live in the neighborhood to donate – if you’ve ever enjoyed the display, or plan on enjoying it in the future, please do your karma a favor by giving something – no donation is too small!

Organizers are also still open to Corporate Sponsors for this year’s festivities, and initial Sponsors include:

Key Bank (Burien branch)

Design In A Day

Safe Boats International

The Tin Room Bar

Highline Athletic Club

Seahurst Dental Design (Dr. Jim Coleman)

Gordon Derr, Attorneys At Law

The B-Town Blog (Media Sponsor)

If you’d like to join these locally-minded business leaders, click here to learn more about how you can become a Sponsor, email info@3treepoint.org, or call one of the Co-Chairs – Scott Schaefer or Laura Beth Peterson – directly at (206) 659-1282 anytime.

Burien’s Hi-Liners are holding a Rummage Sale on Saturday, March 12th, from 9am – 5pm at the Burien Community Center Annex, and they’re seeking rummage donations.

People are being asked to bring rummage donations to the annex on Friday, March 11th from 4pm – 8pm, to be sold to help raise money for the Hi-Liners the next day.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Hi-Liners Rummage Sale.

WHEN: Two events:

• Bring donations on Friday, March 11th, 4pm to 8 pm.
• Shop at the annual Rummage Sale on Saturday, March 12th from 9am – 5pm.

WHERE: The Burien Community Center Annex, located at 425 SW 144th (at the corner of 4th & 146th).

INFO: Contact Tina Giesbers with questions at: info@hi-liners.org or via phone: 206-617-2152.

More info at www.hi-liners.org.

Our friends at Burien Little Theatre sent along a note explaining why you may occasionally see a “Fat Man on a Bicycle” riding around B-Town this summer.

Here’s the note:

“Fat Man on a Bicycle” asks you to help Burien Little Theatre.

I am spending my summer doing performance art.  I call it “Fat Man on a Bicycle.”  (See Photos.  Photo credit – Maggie Larrick.)  I was hoping for a grant.  No luck.  Instead I am doing it to raise funds for Burien Little Theatre.  Please, if you see me around Burien wave!   And send a donation to Burien Little Theatre to help them get ready for their 30th season, in honor of “Fat Man on a Bicycle!”

If you see this "fat man" riding a bike around B-Town, think about donating to Burien Little Theatre.

Besides “Fat Man on a Bicycle,” what else is going on at Burien Little Theatre this summer as it prepares for its 30th season?  (That’s right, 30 continuous seasons all at what is now the Burien Community Center Annex.)

First, Burien Little Theatre was awarded an advertising grant from KUOW for BLT’s winter show – “A Clean House.”  Listen for BLT ads in February of 2011.

Burien Little Theatre was also awarded a grant from 4Culture to help upgrade BLT’s sound system.  BLT has already updated the software for its sound system.  Look forward to new hardware soon.

Thanks to the Burien and Normandy Park Fire Department BLT received a grant of a public defibrillator to be put in its performance space.  It is the one grant BLT hopes never gets used.  But what a great feeling to know its there, if ever needed.

The first three shows of Burien Little Theatre’s 30th season are cast and rehearsals for the first two shows start soon.

The season will open on September 24th with “Reefer Madness the Musical” – A musical version of the 1936 movie warning about the dangers of marijuana.  You can see the original movie on Burien Little Theatre’s website, burienlittletheatre.org.

This sight would make any sane person run to their computer and donate to BLT online at burienlittletheatre.org.

Along with Reefer, in October BLT will try something totally new, a late night horror show starting at 11 PM. “Zombie” is about a psychopathic child killer – unless you are already dead, it will scare you to death!  No one under 16  allowed in.

At the Wild Strawberry Festival, Burien Little Theatre’s booth won the most coveted “People’s Choice Award” for best use of a strawberry theme.  BLT will be back to defend its title next year.

Burien Little Theatre was in the Burien 4th of July parade.  BLT was greeted by applause and smiles from its supporters.  Everyone had a grand time.

Finally Burien Little Theatre’s new website is live – that’s burienlittletheatre.org.

Don’t miss out:  Do what I am doing and help Burien Little Theatre this summer.  Donate what you can.  Get your tickets early.  You can buy tickets and donate online at burienlittletheatre.org or send a check to P.O. Box 48121, Burien, WA 98148.

- Eric Dickman
eric@burienlittletheatre.org

On Saturday, May 8th, members of the National Association of Letter Carriers will be holding “Stamp Out Hunger,” known as the “nation’s largest single-day food drive,” when residents are asked to leave bags of non-perishable food items next to their mailboxes.

Letter carriers will pick these up on Saturday, then deliver them to local food banks.

This is an easy way to donate food and help your hungry neighbors, and we here at The B-Town Blog encourage all our Readers to participate.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers

WHEN: Saturday, May 8th

Burien kids carry a bag of food to their mailbox in 2009.

WHERE: Leave bag(s) of non-perishable food items at your mailbox for pickup.

INFO: Suggested food item donations include canned meats, fish, soup, juice, vegetables, pasta, cereal and rice. Please do not include items that have expired or are in glass containers.

1. Place non-perishable* food products in a bag.
2. Leave at your mailbox on Saturday, May 8th.
3. Your letter carrier will pick up and deliver to local food banks or pantries.

The Puget Sound Blood Center is holding another blood drive, this coming Monday, Feb. 8th from 1pm to 7pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church’s Fellowship Hall, located at 19030 8th Ave South in SeaTac.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Puget Sound Blood Center blood drive

WHEN: Monday, February 8, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm (lunch break from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm)

WHERE: Prince of Peace Fellowship Hall – 19030 8th Ave. South in SeaTac.

INFO: From a press release:

To meet the healthcare needs of our region, the Blood Center depends on your lifesaving contributions, by donating blood.

Your support allows us to provide a stable, adequate blood supply to all those who rely on it and, in giving back to the community, you play an essential role in saving thousands of lives every year.

You can invite a friend or a family member to donate blood with you.

Please Donate Blood at the Prince Of Peace Lutheran church blood drive on Monday, Feb. 8th at 19030 8th Ave. S.

For information please contact Courtney & Nancy Steinke at (206) 878-4219 or by email: truoc1011@yahoo.com.

For questions about donor eligibility, please contact the Clinical Program at 1-800-366-2831 Ext 2543 or email: clinicalprogram@psbc.org.

To read a firsthand account of what it’s like for someone deathly afraid of needles to rise above give blood, read Gina Bourdage’s report here.

January is “National Blood Donor Month,” and the city of Burien is holding a blood drive from 10am to 3pm Monday, Jan. 25th at City Hall, and they’re inviting all humans who have blood to donate.

With the recent bad news in Haiti and continued distress within our own community, giving blood is a great way to show that you care, because every time you donate, you’re not only helping your neighbors, you’re saving lives.

Plus, after you donate, sometimes you get a free cookie and orange juice.

Here are the details:

WHAT: City of Burien Blood Drive

WHEN: Monday, January 25th from 10am to 3pm (with a lunch break from Noon-1pm)

WHERE: Burien City Hall Multipurpose Room, 1st Floor

INFO: From a press release:

“Every day, we are grateful for the commitment of generous donors like you who give blood regularly to maintain a stable community blood supply.

And there is no better time to express our appreciation for your life-saving efforts than during National Blood Donor Month.

Every time you give blood, you’re not only helping local patients, you’re saving lives.

This month, we say thanks for continuing to support the cause, and ask those who have not previously donated, to start a new habit in 2010: giving the Gift of Life by becoming a blood donor.”

To reserve a time to donate blood, please contact Kathy Wetherbee at 206-439-3158 or by email kathyw@burienwa.gov.

The B-Town Blog, along with our sister site The White Center Blog, look forward to seeing as many of our Readers and Neighbors as possible this coming Saturday, Nov. 14th, at the White Center Albertsons for a special Thanksgiving-related food drive: our 2nd Annual Turkeys N’ Diapers Fundraiser!

It’ll run from 10am to 4pm, and all donations will go to the White Center Food Bank (food) and WestSide Baby (diapers & baby stuff).

Albertsons is located at 16th Avenue SW and SW 106th Street in White Center.

We’ll be collecting turkeys and diapers (yes, that’s correct: turkeys and diapers!).

Important note about the diapers – says Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of WestSide Baby:

“We only need diapers in large sizes, Size 5 or 6 or Pull-ups in size 4T. Thanks!”

Stuffing and canned vegetables and other Thanksgiving-related food items would be greatly appreciated.

Donations in the form of cash and checks (made out to “White Center Food Bank”) will also be gratefully accepted.

The crew will be lead again this year by the blog’s own Bart Bryan, host of the recurring interview segments “Whaddaya Think?”

“We raised over $1,100 last year. Let’s double that this year!” said Bart. “Folks around here can really use the help!”

The  White Center Food Bank will make available the food, as they do year-round, to nearby families in need.

The Food Bank works hand-in-hand with WestSide Baby, a nonprofit organization that collects previously-owned items for children and babies and distributes them free of charge to South King County families in need.

In 2008 WestSide Baby served more than 12,000 children.

“See you all Saturday at the White Center Albertsons!” says Bart.

Here’s year-round contact information:

White Center Food Bank
10829 8th Ave SW
Seattle WA  98146
www.whitecenterfoodbank.org
Phone: 206-762-2848

And:

WestSide Baby
10032 15th Ave SW
Seattle, WA  98146
(206) 767-1662
www.westsidebaby.org

Click image (or here) to download a printable PDF poster (feel free to print & post!)

The Three Tree Point 4th of July Fireworks Fund drive has a current balance of $17,100 (with a target of $21,000), so we’re tossing out one last pitch to ask for contributions from our BTB Readers.

So if you haven’t already, please make your donation now for Burien’s best barge-based, free fireworks show on a great beach – donate online now! You can donate any amount between $25 and $500, so please lend a hand.

The $21,000 budget covers the cost of the barge, fuel, tug, insurance, permits, fireworks and professionals to run the show, police protection for the area (which is being increased this year) and dumpster rental.

So if you’re interested in sponsoring the fireworks, or giving a donation, please click here – you can donate online or via snailmail. This is an amazing celebration of Americana in a great neighborhood!