Do you sometimes wish you could do more to make the world a better place? You can. The Create a Better World (CBW) team creates opportunities for people like you who want to build community and make a difference in the lives of others. By guiding and supporting people to take action in the world, we are channels of God’s Love, Grace, and Power as we help transform ideas into reality through mindful service. Through CBW, we have contributed to projects and organizations such as St Francis House, local Food Banks, Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity, and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)—to name a few.

How to Get Involved:

You are invited to participate in one of our seasonal upcoming service opportunities listed below. If you are searching for another way to volunteer your time and energy or get more involved with the Create a Better World Team, we can match you to your specific interest or help you organize and lead your own effort. Contact Cathy Lindsay to start the conversation. You can also support CBW year-round using the donate button above and putting “CBW” in the Donor Note/Comment field.

Support CBW with company matching funds! Some employers offer company matching for donations. All company matching funds to CSL Seattle go directly to support Create a Better World programs. Ask your employer if about matching funds!

Annual Create a Better World Spring into Service Fair

Save the Dates: March 17, 24 and 31

Come visit us as we present this years’ service activities and offer sign-up sheets for our upcoming opportunities. Being of service together is a wonderful way to make new friends, connect with others, and build community; and you can help to create a better world in real time. One project at a time!

Earth Action

Save the Dates: March 17, March 24 and 31

Visit the table during the Spring into Service Fair and speak with a member of the Earth Action Committee. You’ll learn about all the wonderful ways this committee is working to have a positive impact with a deep commitment to the environment. Whether you’re passionate about conservation, sustainable practices, or simply want to make a positive impact yourself, your involvement is crucial in shaping a better world for current and future generations.

 

Let’s Celebrate Earth Day!

Love Mother Earth: Recycle Drop Off

Save the Date: Sundays April 7 and 14, 9am-12pm

Let’s Celebrate Earth Day by taking extra good care of her.
You’ve probably been ordering a lot online over this past year and accumulated quite a collection of packing materials! Have you taken the time to sort through all your “stuff” and found old electronics you’d like to get rid of?

It’s hard to know how to responsibly dispose of some items. Let us help you by offering this opportunity to drop them all off, and we’ll get them to the right places for you!

What you can bring:

• Clean white Styrofoam blocks, like those used to pack new electronic products, appliance/furniture/computer packaging, picnic/shipping coolers; clean and dry take-out containers (look for the #6 or EPS inside the recycle symbol; when you bend it should break and snap with loose beads; remove tape & labels)
• Plastic wrap and bubble wrap; packing peanuts. For pictures or more info, see styrorecycle.com
• Most electronics, working or not, whole or in part, including but not limited to:
  • Scrap metal of any kind ferrous and non-ferrous
  • Washers and dryers; Water heaters, Water coolers
  • Small appliances, blenders, toasters, coffee makers, bread makers, kitchen wear, metal pots
  • Computers and computer Accessories
  • Flat Screen Computer monitors (no CRTs please)
  • Desktop PC Computers, Servers, Server racks
  • Laptop and Notebook Computers
  • Scanners and Copiers
  • Laser and Inkjet Printers
  • Fax Machines and All-In-One devices
  • Printer cartridges, toner cartridges
  • Circuit Boards/Motherboards
  • Radios
  • Receivers, Speakers
  • CD Discs, DVD Discs, Media
  • Cell Phone Batteries/ Laptop Batteries
  • Home Entertainment
  • Small Answering Machines
  • Stereo Equipment
  • DVD Players, VCR Players
  • Cellular Phones and Accessories
  • Cable TV Converter Equipment
  • CB’s
  • Chargers (cell phones)
  • Remote Control Handsets
  • Satellite TV Equipment
  • Scanners
  • Typewriters
  • Metal furniture, metal file cabinets, metal desks, metal shelving,
  • metal window frame (please no glass)
  • Lawnmowers (please no gasoline)

For more information, see www.1greenplanet.org.

REDUCE YOUR USE OF PLASTIC! Download a doable calendar with daily tips on ways to keep plastic use at a minimum.

 

CSL Plant Sale

Save the Date: Sunday, April 21, 9am-12pm 

Is it really time to garden already? Short answer: yes! April is a great month in the Pacific Northwest to begin planting an edible and pollinator friendly garden to enjoy all year round. Enjoy the indoors, too, with house plants that add beauty to your world, no matter what the outdoors is doing. Included are native plants that thrive in any weather. The Create a Better World team is excited to invite you to ou,r popup Plant Sale, where you can stock up on spring plant starts, house plants, native plants and many varieties of dahlia tubers.

We have chosen varieties that grow well in our Maritime Northwest climate, so come choose from our organically and locally grown plant starts. Spring is an ideal time to plant because nature takes care of the watering for you and temperatures are warm enough to start tending to your garden. You will find:

• Easy-to-grow veggies for beginners such as lettuce, greens and peas.
• Many varieties of dahlias tubers that will brighten any garden and bring months of flower power
• Native plants that go the distance to establish the foundation of a garden and provide habitat for wildlife.

We celebrate Earth Day (April 22) by hosting the Plant Sale on April 21 at CSL to share with you the Earth’s bounty. All proceeds from this plant sale will be used to fund monthly donations to non-profits that Create a Better World facilitates.

Forms of payment accepted to purchase plants are cash, checks made out to Center for Spiritual Living, Venmo, and credit card payments.

Contact Valerie Tims at valerieinseatlte@yahoo.com.

 

Rebuilding and Refreshing Together

Save the Date: Saturday April 27 from 8am-4pm

Prep Day: April 20

The Annual Rebuilding Together is back.

All skills welcome but no experience necessary; the minimum age is 16 (or 14 if accompanied by adult).  We can use helpers willing to feed our volunteers, too.

If you have any questions, please contact Tim by phone 206-245-7006 or email tbrincef@comcast.net

 

Spring Mom & Baby Blessing Bag Donation Drive

Collection Dates: April 14, 21

Assembly Dates: April 28 1-3, 12:45 – 2:45pm

Bring donation items/funds to CSL: April 14, 21, and 28; Sunday 4/28 hours are 12:30-2pm. A team will put together bags for delivery to Mary’s Place, Angeline’s Day Center, and Birthday Dreams.

Mommy items requested: 

New Panties (all sizes), Towel/wash cloth sets, Hairbrushes/accessories, Journals/pens.

Baby items requested: 

Large Diapers (size 4-6), Pull-ups (4T-5T), Baby Wipes, Diaper Cream, Sippy Cups, Bibs, Pacifiers, infant Hygiene Kits, Baby Swaddle Blankets, and Children’s Books (toddler to teen).

 

Shredding Day

Date: TBD

 

Phinney Neighborhood Garage Sale

Save the Date: Saturday May 18, 9am-1pm

CSL Seattle is joining the Phinney Neighborhood Association in their annual neighborhood-wide garage sale. You will be invited to donate items to CSL for resale at the Garage Sale here on our Campus.

This is a fundraiser to support of CSL community volunteer groups and activities.

More information will be shared soon.

If you’d like to volunteer please contact Sarah Loron at saloron@comcast.net.

 

Pasado’s Safe Haven  –  Day of Compassion Work Party!

Save the Date: Saturday June 1, 10am-2pm

Join us in helping care for the animals at Pasado’s in Sultan, WA!  We don’t have a project yet, but it may include lifting 30-40 pounds, bending and weeding, walking on uneven ground for some distance, and other physical activities. If you have limitations that may impact your ability to participate, please let us know so they can plan our project accordingly. In the past we have moved rocks, painted the hen house, cut back a trail, cleaned floors, organized a shed – the options are unlimited!

Bring a lunch, water and mud boots!

Contact Rev Karen Cleveland revkarencleveland@gmail.com, 206-715-4865 or Marilyn Gregory.