On Saturday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m., Hospitably House is having a fund raising walk in downtown Burien. It is an easy walk through Burien's business district.

The registration fee is $25 the day of the walk, but the pre-registration fee is $20. Forms to register for the walk are available at Hospitality House's website www.HospitalityHouseSouthKing.org

If you cannot walk but wish to donate that may also be done at the website. Or donations may be mailed to : Hospitality House, Attn: 152nd Street Walk, 15003 14th Ave SW, Burien, WA 98166.

On Sept. 25th registration starts at 9:30 a.m. at Burien's Town Square. After the walk participates should return to the stage to see if they won one of the numerous prizes. Top money raisers will have a choice of prizes.

Hospitality House is located in Burien and was founded in September 2000 by twelve sponsoring churches as an ecumenical outreach to the homeless community in South King County. A woman may stay at Hospitality House for up to 90 days. Almost 65 percent of the women move on from Hospitality House to affordable transitional or permanent housing.

While at Hospitality House resident continues to work at a job or gets assistance in finding employment. Each night volunteers bring in a home cooked meal for the women from the area.

Ten years ago, during a hearing with the city of Burien, Charles Koethe, then pastor of Lake Burien Presbyterian Church and chair of the Steering Committee for Hospitality House, addressed nervous neighbors and a skeptical Burien City Council with these words:

"Though we are here this evening to win your positive recommendation that the city of Burien permit homeless women to sleep in our facility at Lake Burien, I must confess, people already sleep in our church. Unfortunately, it usually happens during the sermon."
Rev. Koethe then went on to explain, "...establishing a shelter for homeless women is not our idea. We are simply following the One who has told us very clearly:
"...feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, show hospitality."

In summary, Koethe stated, "If we don't do it, who will?"