WestSide Baby the White Center based organization that helps families across South King County with childrens clothing, diapers car seats and more raised more than $100,000 in two events Saturday Feb. 5.

The first, held at the Jerry Brockey Center on the SSCC campus saw more than 400 people in attendance at the WestSide Baby 10th Anniversary Tea.

The afternoon event hit $88,000 of the total funds raised but that number was preliminary since more remained to be counted. The event featured numbered paddles distributed to those participating allowing them to be easily identified as denominations were called out ranging from $5000 to $25.

During the afternoon event a 2 minute video presentation outlined the facts of what WestSide Baby has accomplished since it began and emphasizing the need that still exists. They celebrated the fact that in the past year the organization expanded into a new larger space just adjacent enabling them to help many more people.

In 2010 WestSide Baby was able to help 18,400 children, a 20% increase over 2009. They distributed $1.38 million in basic needs, a 10% increase from last year. Since the organization began in 2001 it has distributed $7.5 million in diapers, clothing, car seats, and more. Volunteers gave more than 5200 hours of time in the past year. WestSide Baby distributed 384 car seats last year filling one of every three requests. In January more than 50 requests for warm coats went unfilled. 80% of the requests for cribs could not be met last year.

The evening event, a cocktail party at the Hall at Fauntleroy, was made necessary since the Tea sold out so quickly. Approximately 150 people were in attendance. At both events a second video was shown, called "Believe in Impossible Things" featuring a single mother, Serena Spalding, who began her relationship with WestSide Baby as a client and who then became a volunteer. Her powerful testimony clarified the issues facing mothers who must choose between paying rent, buying food and taking proper care of their children.

The cocktail event had raised more than $10,000 in direct donations, Giving Circle donations (a continuing program) and raffle sales with other aspects of donations and cocktail sales yet to be counted. Executive Director Nancy Woodland said the total of over $100,000 was "safe to say."

Both events featured 'Baby Cakes" special glass cupcakes made by Avalon Glassworks that were available for $50. At each event one lucky buyer had the chance to win a diamond necklace provided by Wyatt's Jewelers in Westwood Village.

The sponsors for the events included:
Huggies diapers, who in the past year made major donations to WestSide Baby through their Every Little Bottom program.

• The White Center Food Bank
• Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines
• Drink Sponsor Avalon (with an amazing signature drink)
• Fauntleroy Chiropractic
• Cairncross and Hempelmann, P.S.
• West Seattle Thriftway
• Again and a Gain Children's Consignment
• M.C. Simmons Design
• Spot On Events (who organized both events)
• Avalon Glassworks
• C Collective
• Tuscan Tea Room
• Bryan Brenner DDS
• Viking Bank
• Simply Fun
• West Seattle Family Zone
• Curious Kidstuff
• White Center Chiropractic
• City Mouse Studio and Store
• Sugar Rush Baking Company
• Judy Piggott on behalf of Personal Safety Nets
• B Mac Productions

Additional sponsors included:
See Kai Run
Sandra Merkin, Realtor, Windermere RE/Wall St. Inc.
Budget Blinds
Little Gym
Ventana Construction
Dream Dinners

You can donate to WestSide Baby online here.