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Create a Better World

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!

A Season of Service

Upcoming Service Opportunities

Create a Better World Season of Service – Fall 2024

The Season of Service is back and runs from November 3rd – February 2025 with a variety of meaningful projects. Feeling inspired to contribute and make a positive impact? Want to participate in a fun service project with a wonderful group of people? 

Come explore the Holiday Service projects organized by the Create a Better World Service Team. You can get more information and find the perfect opportunity to join the fun either on our website or by visiting our tables in the Lobby and Fellowship Hall on Sundays, November 3, 10, and 17. 

Thank you for your generosity and for making the holidays brighter for families, women, and children in our community! 

Giving Tree: November 24 – December 15 

GIVING TREE ONLINE LINK

 

Leads: Sherry Dawley & Gail Phillips
Support Elf: Tim Brincefield 

We are thrilled to continue our tradition of the In-Person and Online Giving Tree! This year, you can choose to browse and fulfill requests either online or in person to bring joy to the women and children at the Broadview Shelter Transitional Housing Center (Seattle), and CSL families. 

How to Donate: 

  • Facebook Fundraiser: Donate directly through our Facebook fundraiser.  
  • Phone Donations: Call the CSL office at 206-527-8801 ext. 5109 to make a donation over the phone. 
  • Donate onsite on Sundays with Cash, Check, Venmo and We’ll do the shopping for you! 
  • Visit the Giving Tree on Campus:
    Come by each Sunday to see the Giving Tree on the CSL campus. Pick up a gift tag and return your purchased gifts in person. 
  • Access the Online Giving Tree:
    Visit our Online Giving Tree LINK between November 24 – December 15 to choose and send gifts for the women and children at Broadview Shelter and CSL families. 

Note: The need is greater than ever, and we are committed to spreading joy to as many people as possible. We aim to fulfill every request, ensuring that this holiday season shines bright for those in need. 

Stay tuned for the Online Giving Tree link as the date approaches. 

Blessing Bags: November 17, 24, and Dec 1 

Leads: Laurel Tomchick & Marilyn Gregory
Collection Locations: Lobby and Fellowship Hall (space permitting) 

Join us in creating Blessing Bags for those in need!
We are collecting toiletries and comfort/hygiene items for the homeless. Donation bins will be available on Sundays: November 17, 24, and Dec 1. 

Bag Assembly Event: 

  • Date: Sunday, Dec 1st 
  • Time: 12:30 – 2:30 PM 
  • Location: Classroom A/Fellowship Hall at CSL 

These Blessing Bags will be distributed through Mary’s Place and by CSL members directly to those in need. 

Suggested Donation Items: 

  • Socks and hats 
  • Hand warmers/foot warmers 
  • Masks 
  • Non-perishable food items in easy-to-open packages (e.g., tea, coffee, oatmeal, soup packets, holiday candy) 
  • A note of love and encouragement 
  • Toiletries: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, period supplies, Band-Aids, tissues, wet wipes, etc. (Please pack scented items separately from food.) 
  • Gallon Ziplock bags, cosmetic, and small travel bags 

For more information, please contact Laurel Tomchick: TomchickL19@gmail.com 

Winter Coat Drive: November 17 – December 8  

Leads: Valerie Tims & Marilyn Gregory
Collection Locations: Lobby and Fellowship Hall 

Help keep our community warm this winter by donating new coats!
We are collecting new adult-sized coats (hooded and rain-repellent coats are especially appreciated) to be gifted to local Homelessness Service providers. 

How to Donate: 

  • Online: Purchase a coat online and have it sent directly to CSL’s Administrative Office at:
    6301 Woodland Place N, Seattle, WA 98103 
  • In Person: Drop off your coat donations during services on Sundays at 9 AM or 11 AM, or at the office from Monday to Thursday, 10 AM – 4 PM, between November 17 – December 8. 

Let’s work together to provide warmth and support for those in need this winter season! 

Scarf Making Event 

Date: December 8
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Location: Classroom A/Fellowship Hall
Lead: Kathi White 

Join us for a fun and meaningful activity as we make warm, no-sew fleece scarves for those in need! This is a wonderful opportunity to come together and create warmth for our community. 

What to Bring: 

  • At least 1 yard of fleece fabric (per person) 
  • Donations of additional fleece fabric are also greatly appreciated! Donation Bins will be located in the Fellowship Hall Nov 17 – Dec 8 

We will be organizing the delivery of these scarves; details on dates and recipients will be announced soon. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kathi White at kathiseattle@earthlink.net or call (206) 679-1299. 

Let’s spread warmth and care this winter season! 

 

 

 

CBW Monthly Donations

CSL Seattle and Create a Better World supports charitable organizations to do their good work in the world by donating $100 to three local nonprofits every month. Recipients are nominated by CSL members and congregants. Monthly nominations can be submitted to Sherry Dawley and should include organization name, web site, and one sentence why you love this nonprofit. Let’s help others who need our support!

 

Nov 2024 CBW Donations

Meals on Wheels  from Laurel Tomchick
As a Meals on Wheels Volunteer, you will belong to a team committed to helping seniors who are homebound maintain their health and independence with nutritious food, personal contact, and caring service.

TO DONATE: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/F2Vg-g?vid=198n60

White Center Food Bank  from Marjorie McKinney
Current programs include daytime, and seniors-only food distributions; expanded home deliveries; Mobile Food Bank Program for seniors and disabled clients; a Baby Pantry for diapers, formula, baby foods and more; Cultural foods buying program, and grocery rescue. Intake services are provided in nine languages, English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Khmer/Cambodian, Shanghainese and Chaozhou.

TO DONATE: https://whitecenterfoodbank.networkforgood.com/

YouthCare’s Orion Center  from Dom Yuriar
The Orion Center serves as a safe and welcoming place for young people ages 12-24 throughout the day who are run aways or homeless. They serve warm breakfast, lunch and dinners to kids on the street.

TO DONATE: https://youthcare.org/donate/

October 2024 CBW Donations

Seattle Veterinary Outreach    Nominated by Sherry Dawley and Marilyn Gregory
They provide vet services to pets of underserved communities which can mean the difference for owners to keep their pet or give them up.

Homeward Pet in Woodinville    Nominated by Diana Sergi Khoury
I nominate Homeward Pet in Woodinville. They are a no-kill shelter for dogs and cats. They also facilitate a pet food bank program, as well as rehoming of animals whose parents are moving or can’t keep them anymore.

Pasado’s Safe Haven    Nominated by CBW
We focus on the most vulnerable animals among us – victims of cruelty and neglect, animals living with families lacking access to critical services, and those whose very survival depends upon social and/or legislative change.

 

September 2024 CBW Donations

InvestED

They provide funding to middle & high schools which teachers can access to help students privately with needs, such as clothing, ASB cards, instrument rental, college application fees.

The Big-Brained Superheroes Club

Mission: On a mission to tap into the hidden strengths that all young people have through Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM), The Big-Brained Superheroes Club (The BBSC) at Yesler Community Center is, at its core, about community coming together to create.

Seattle Music Teachers Association

SMTA conducts programs and activities to facilitate the education of music teachers, support and promote the awareness of the value of music education for all individuals and build a vital musical culture within the community.

 

August 2024 CBW Donations

ACLU of Washington  Nominated by Marilyn Gregory
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights

Learn more about how to exercise your voting rights, resist voter intimidation efforts, and access disability-related accommodations and language assistance at the polls.

League of Women Voters of King County  Nominated by Sherry Dawley
https://www.lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-seattle-king-county

Besides coordinating dozens of candidate forums during election season, this non-partisan advocacy group offers a wealth of resources to learn about voting issues being an informed electorate.

League of Women Voters of Snohomish County  Nominated by Sherry Dawley
https://www.lwvsnoho.org

This non-partisan advocacy group works on the issues of voter access and voter suppression, and hosts dozens of local candidate forums.

Washington Conservation Action  Nominated by Kim Ducote
https://waconservationaction.org/

My #1 go to for environmental issues & what candidates are supporting the environment etc. No planet, no people.

Extra donation this month:
Donation in support of Habitat for Humanity Seattle’s 2024 Interfaith Build – Along with our financial contribution, CSL Seattle will also have a Team of helpful builders participating in this Interfaith Build project this September.

 

July 2024 CBW Donations

Helen’s Place Nominated by Betty Gibelyou

Operates 24/7/365 with sleeping, shower, laundry, meals, case mgmt, support services including mental health services. They were started by the same folks that started The Sophia Way in Bellevue, but operate in Kirkland. They are a 501(C)3.

YWCA of Seattle | King | Snohomish County Nominated by Lynn Widell Perry

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. A healthy community transformed by racial and gender equity, where women and girls of color have equal access to opportunity, and there is social justice for all people. There list of services is too long to list: housing, jobs, health promotion, etc., plus advocacy and eliminating racism.

Jubilee Women’s Center Nominated by Marilyn Gregory

Dedicated to serving women between the ages of 18-25 experiencing homelessness or at risk for homelessness, domestic violence victims, reentering society after incarceration, inpatient treatment graduates, or living in unsuitable environment.

 

June 2024 CBW Donations

Lambert House  Nominated by Marilyn Gregory

Lambert House empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth through the development of leadership, social, and life skills.

Gender Justice League    Nominated by Jennifer Citrine

Gender Justice League (GJL) is a civil & human rights organization that focuses on elevating the rights of TwoSpirit, Trans, & Gender Diverse (2STGD) communities in Washington State & beyond through advocacy efforts, direct services, shared leadership development, and the creation of sacred Trans spaces like Trans Pride Seattle. Member Sandy Tomlin’s son works here.

GenPride    Nominated by Jennifer Citrine

GenPride and Community Roots Housing are building Seattle’s first affordable housing project designed to be an affirming environment for LGBTQIA+ seniors.

 

May 2024 CBW Donations

C.A.R.E.S. of Burien & Des Moines  Nominated by Kim Ducote

CARES of Burien & Des Moines is a small but mighty animal shelter in Burien. So many pets need help, and so many animal shelters are overwhelmed. “Perhaps” in part due to the pandemic pet adoption craze.

Sammamish Animal Sanctuary  Nominated by Laurel Tomchick

Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is a 501c3 nonprofit that provides forever homes for abused, neglected, unwanted, and/or homeless barnyard animals. We do not breed, sell, or buy housed animals.

Doney Coe Pet Clinic   Nominated by Marilyn Gregory

For 35 years, the clinic’s mission has been to serve the community with respect for the human/animal bond. They provide equal access to quality veterinary care for animals who otherwise will not receive medical care. The pet clinic is located on Airport Way S. and Queen Anne.

April 2024 CBW Donations

Birds Connect (formerly Seattle Audubon) Nominated by Jennifer Bundy

birdsconnectsea.org

Birds Connect Seattle puts our mission into action through both urban and regional initiatives, designed to inspire appreciation, understanding, and protection of birds within and beyond our local community. I support them because their work enhances our urban environment, making it more livable for birds and people.

Puget SoundKeeper Alliance Nominated by Laurel Tomchick

pugetsoundkeeper.org

They work to preserve and protect our critical waterways and wildlife – directly on the water and through legislative action.

Climate Solutions  Nominated by Mary Lou Dickerson

climatesolutions.org

Our vision: a thriving, equitable Northwest, powered by clean energy, inspiring the transition to sustainable prosperity across the nation and beyond.

 

 

March 2024 Donations

Technology Access Foundation

Nominated by Andrea Weatherhead
TAF Mission: We build collaborative relationships with public education to create access to transformative systems of learning for students and teachers of color to eliminate race-based disparities in an increasingly diverse society.

Women Empowered (Y-WE)

Nominated by Dominic Yuriar
Young Women Empowered (Y-WE) cultivates the power of diverse young women* to be creative leaders and courageous changemakers through transformative programs within a collaborative community of belonging. We envision a society rooted in social justice where all young women* live their truth, achieve their dreams, and change our world.

Youth Speaks Seattle

Nominated by Rose Palmer
(YSS) is a youth-serving poetry collective with a focus on making programs accessible to Queer / BIPOC youth, or anyone who finds their story pushed into the margins. We use creative writing and performance arts to develop identity, build community, and celebrate each other’s stories out loud.

 

February 2024 Donations

  • Rainier Valley Food Bank

    Nominated by Marilyn Gregory
    The primary emergency food resource for Seattle’s most racially, ethnically, and economically diverse neighborhood and home to many people of color, immigrants, and refugees who regularly face systemic obstacles to living wage employment, affordable housing, and food security.  DONATE

 

  • Food Bank at St. Mary’s

    Nominated by Sherry Dawley
    Located in the Central District, we serve over 171,000 clients each year through a diverse mix of services that includes walk-in, home delivery, no-cook bags, hungry children, and mobile food bank.  DONATE

 

  • Meals on Wheels

    Nominated by Sherry Dawley
    There are many circumstances that can make shopping or preparing food difficult for older adults. That’s where Meals on Wheels steps in, offering relief to older adults and caregivers by delivering reliable, nutritious meals on a weekly basis.  DONATE

 

 

January 2024 Donations

YouthCare opened the Orion Center in 1984. At the time, it was one of the first programs in the nation to receive a federal grant enabling six agencies working with runaway and homeless youth to co-locate in one building. These multiple partners created a constellation of services—thus, the name Orion. Located on the corner of Denny and Stewart, the Orion Center serves as a safe and welcoming place for young people ages 12-24 throughout the day.

 

Friends of Youth serves King County with a focus on the Eastside. Their list of provided services is long, but their housing program includes the operation of two shelters, The Landing and Youth Haven. They also have Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing programs.

 

Angeline’s Day Center provides safety and support to women experiencing homelessness. More than 200 women each day access Angeline’s drop-in services, which include meals, laundry, showers, lockers, and connections to community resources.

 

October 2023 Donations

  • Feral Care Sanctuary / Bothell
    Nominated by Vicky Draper
    This organization fulfills a critical need for these animals, seen as neither domestic animals nor wildlife. They rescue, rehabilitate, and provide a forever-home for feral, abandoned, and otherwise unadoptable cats.
  • Homeward Pet Adoption Center 
    Nominated by Carmin Dalziel
    Homeward Pet’s mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs in need through compassionate medical care, positive behavior training, and successful adoption while building a more humane community.
  • Pawsitive Alliance
    Nominated by Marilyn Gregory
    Pawsitive Alliance works across Washington to help homeless cats and dogs find loving homes, and prevent pets from becoming homeless. Our programs focus on increasing shelter adoptions, spay/neuter surgeries, and keeping pets in homes.