Sustainable West Seattle’s first Volunteer Orientation and Appreciation Party is set for May 3. If you live in West Seattle and are interested in making West Seattle a more sustainable community, consider joining SWS at the Admiral Cross Fit Gym on Saturday, May 3 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

The orientation for prospective volunteers includes descriptions of what SWS volunteers do and the many opportunities offered. Volunteers work at the Tool Library, Community Orchard, Tox-Ick wastewater awareness program, multiple bicycle activities including Spokespeople, West Seattle Bike Connections and our newest project DIY Bikes.

Volunteers help with ALL projects:
--West SeattleTool Library
--Community Orchard of West Seattle
--Tox-Ick stormwater awareness program
--Multiple bicycle activities including Spokespeople, West Seattle Bike Connections and our newest project - DIY Bikes
--And new programs collaborating with SWS - Puget Creek Watershed Alliance and West Seattle Meaningful Movies.

We also want to celebrate and have some social time with the amazing folks who have previously volunteered with SWS! The celebration includes a potluck, music, and green prizes. SWS will provide food and beverages and you’re welcome to bring a dish to share.

RSVP's for the orientation and/or party are appreciated for planning, e-mail Kimberly at kimberly@sustainablewestseattle.org

About SWS:

Sustainable West Seattle educates and advocates for urban sustainability in our local community. SWS envisions a West Seattle community of empowered citizens who actively lead toward greater self-reliance, local democracy, social justice, and existence in harmony with life on earth. See the SWS website for events and news about sustainability in West Seattle.

SWS projects:

West Seattle Tool Library is a community-led project to provide pay-what-you-can community access to a wide range of tools, training, and relevant advice. By providing this service, the West Seattle Tool Library aims to inspire its community to participate in community projects, such as park restorations, and pursue sustainability through fun projects like backyard gardens, home energy improvements, and water harvesting.

Tox-Ick is an outreach and education effort born out of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Sustainable West Seattle. The objective of the program is to help educate a critical mass of Puget Sound residents about the problem of polluted runoff and the simple actions individuals can engage in to stop it. Online resources are available in the fight against the Tox-Ick Monster.

Community Orchard of West Seattle (COWS) provides a home-scale model that demonstrates how much food can be grown on a city-sized lot. Our produce goes to our volunteers, neighbors and local food security programs while we provide a venue for public agricultural education and community gathering.

West Seattle Spokespeople facilitates a transition from car to bike and is allied with Spokespeople U.S. Our goal is to make West Seattle a more bike-able community through education, group rides and assisting riders in developing their skills.

DIY Bikes - which teaches youth to repair bikes themselves and encourage more biking in our community.

West Seattle Bike Connections was formed in October 2012 as a volunteer community organization to give West Seattle a stronger voice in Seattle’s Bike Master Plan Update that started in 2013. Our participants come from all over the West Seattle peninsula, from all kinds of backgrounds and types of bike riding. Connections to other Seattle organizations and agencies have been made that directly influence policy and planning of bicycling infrastructure.

West Seattle Meaningful Movies is a group of concerned citizens in your neighborhood who are trying to make a difference in the defense of justice and the pursuit of peace. We present social justice documentary films, along with facilitated open community discussion on a wide range of topics, free and open to the public. Our mission is to use films and discussions to inform and connect neighbors in our diverse community and to support positive social change.

Puget Creek Watershed Alliance is a grassroots effort advocating for environmental reparations for all concerned considering our responsibilities to our downstream neighbors, the Duwamish Tribe, and to current and future residents.