Julie Robinson-Jasper, was the lucky winner of a Night Out block party catering prize awarded by West Seattle Thriftway

Locally owned and operated, West Seattle Thriftway is a community focused store that sponsors events to benefit local charities, supports area food banks and local schools. This year they held a contest for their customers in order to raise awareness of Seattle’s “Night Out”.

“Night Out is a national event promoted in Seattle by Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention. It is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities.” Source: www.seattle.gov/police/community-policing/night-out.

Over the course of two months customers collected punches for every $20 spent while shopping. Once filled, the punch card acted as their entry into the contest. “Our customers were really excited about it. On drawing day I had multiple people asking about what block got the party and then texting all of their neighbors to see if it was them. We counted over 400 cards at the end of the event when we picked our winner” - Michele Grasso, their event coordinator stated.

Robinson-Jasper's block is located in Sunrise heights of West Seattle. She won with only one card entered into the drawing. Upon winning after the initial excitement settled she told the staff, “Now since nobody has to bring food or drinks I’m going to ask them to bring money and we’ll donate it to the West Seattle Food Bank.” Thriftway will be supplying enough party food and drinks to satisfy 20 people. “It’s turning into enough to feed a small army, but that’s okay... we’re excited that we can help promote this community event and treat one of our customers and their neighbors to something special.” Michele continued.

Seattle Night Out is Tuesday August 7th. The last day to register your block for the event is August 5th at: http://www.seattle.gov/police/community-policing/night-out