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!

Giving Tree | Nov 26 – Dec 17

Visit our Giving Trees – there’s one in the Fellowship Hall and one in the back of the Sanctuary.

Online Giving Tree. There are two ways to give online between November 26 – December 17:

• Give using the online Giving Tree link via Amazon.com. Visit the Amazon site to see requests, place an order, and have gifts shipped directly to the women and children living at the Broadview (Downtown Seattle) Shelter, Transitional Housing Center, and to CSL, who will then distribute them as requested.
• Use CSL’s Facebook fundraiser link to donate funds. We’ll do the shopping for you! https://www.facebook.com/donate/314414871397210/

The need is very great, and we would love to fulfill all requests.

Winter Coat Drive | Nov 19 – Dec 10 (and through Jan 2024 as needed)

Location: Donation Bins in Lobby and Fellowship Hall

Donate new coats, adult sizes only; hooded and rain repellent especially of interest. Donations will be gifted to Facing Homelessness and Mary’s Place.

How to Donate

• You can purchase online and have your coat sent directly to CSL’s Administrative Office at 6301 Woodland Place N, Seattle, WA 98103 or
• Drop-off your donations Sunday during 9 or 11am services, or at the office Monday-Thursday, 10am-4pm, Nov 19 -Dec 10.

 

Scarf Making | Dec 10, 1-3pm

Location: Classroom A/Fellowship Hall

Make warm fleece scarves for those in need; you bring at least 1 yard of fleece to make the scarves, no sewing skills needed. Donations of fleece fabric also appreciated. Help deliver scarves date and locations TBD.

Contact Valerie Tims at Valerieinseattle@yahoo.com with any questions.

COMPLETED – Thank You!
Blessing Bags | Nov 5, 12, and 19

Join us in creating Blessing Bags for those in need! Donate toiletries and other comfort/hygiene items for the homeless: We’ll have bins out to collect donation items on Sundays Nov 5, 12, and 19.

We’ll come together to assemble the bags and infuse them with blessings, at CSL on Sunday November 19^th from 12:30-2:30pm.

The bags will be distributed through Facing Homelessness (facinghomelessness.org), Mary’s Place (marysplaceseattle.org) and by CSL individuals directly as desired.

Please contact Laurel Tomchick for more information: TomchickL19@gmail.com

Suggested donation items for blessing bags:

• Socks/Hats
• Handwarmers/Foot warmers
• Masks
• Nonperishable food items in easy to open packages, not too hard or too chewy. The Facing Homelessness window of kindness has hot water available, so individual packets of tea, coffee, oatmeal and soup are nice. Holiday candy.
• A note of Love and/or encouragement
• Toiletry items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, period supplies, Band-Aids, tissue packets, wet wipes, etc.  Any scented items should be packed separate from food items.
• Gallon Ziplock bags; cosmetic and small travel bags.

More Holiday Service Opportunities

Food Lifeline-South Park | Saturday, Jan 6, 1 to 3pm

• Come to this regional food bank supplier and help package bulk food into more accessible portions to go to food banks. What we’ll be packaging is whatever is most needed that day – it could be produce, rice, pasta, canned goods or more! It’s a great activity to do in preparation for our annual Souper Bowl – a collection of soups and stews – leading up to the Super Bowl mid-February and supporting area food banks.

Food Lifeline will have a few safety rules we need to follow. Complete information will be sent to you upon sign-in. South Park is located between Columbia City and West Seattle in the industrial part of the city. You’ll receive directions.

• From time to time, CBW will be sharing volunteer opportunities we hear about from non-profit organizations that could use some helping hands during this holiday season. Please stay tuned and serve where you’re called to.
• The Phinney Neighborhood Center near CSL currently has a variety of ongoing service needs. Contact them at: https://www.phinneycenter.org/volunteer-covid/
• If you hear of a non-profit organization in your neighborhood that needs volunteers, please let us know or post it on the CSL Seattle Members Facebook page directly. Get the word out. Let’s all be neighbors helping neighbors!

 

Souper Bowl – Jan 14-kickoff, Jan 21,28, Feb 4, Feb 11, 2024-Touch Down – stay tuned for details!

Download a Souper Bowl Poster for Your Community’s Use (link available soon!)