Service Projects
Summer Day of Service Projects:
Each year we look for a large group service project for our summer Day of Service. If you have an idea for a project in the month of July that could accommodate 50+ volunteers please contact the TIPS office.
2009
TIPS 2009 Day of Service was on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Lincoln Park in West Seattle. TIPS Interns, alumni, Board Members and staff teamed up with EarthCorps whose mission is to build global community through local environmental service. Together they worked to preserve the forests of the park. EarthCorps staff discussed the forest structure, native versus non-native plant species, tool use and environmental restoration. The day was spent working to restore this urban forest to a healthier state. Earthcorps envisions a global community of environmental leaders and engaged citizens. Earthcorps brings together young people from the USA and around the world to work, learn and grow. Their efforts unite best practices in environmental restoration with a community-based approach to service, educattion and action. Together with a global network of partners and friends, EarthCorps restores key ecological sites around the Puget Sound and supports their international partner organizations on projects around the world.
2008
TIPS 2008 Day of Service was on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at Seattle Tilth Children's Garden. Seattle Tilth Children's Garden has been a TIPS non-profit partner since 1998. Founded in 1978, Seattle Tilth is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a sustainable community, one garden at a time. In their demonstration gardens, as well as in P-Patches and other community gardens accross the region, they teach people how to improve their environment by using organic gardening techniques. TIPS interns made great use of the 4 hours by cleaning garden areas, restoring garden habitat and removing the Washington state weed, the famous blackberry bush.
2007
On July 14th, 2007, 56 TIPS interns and 7 TIPS volunteers spent the morning working on forest restoration with The Nature Consortium and their Clean & Green Day at the West Duwamish Greenbelt. We dug blackberry roots, laid mulch and made way for new native trees to be planted. It was challenging, physical work but The Nature Consortium cheered the effort with a strolling musician and restoration education from our incredible conservation guide, Buphalo.
We lunched at the Highland Park Improvement Club's hot-dog fest, courtesy of the City of Seattle-Department of Neighborhoods, introducing our TIPS teens to even more ways the city and local people get involved to nurture and improve their communities.
2006
On July 15th, 2006, 50 TIPS interns and 10 TIPS volunteers came together at Food Lifeline to sort and repackage dried goods that will help feed the hungry throughout our region. Food Lifeline, which strives to end hunger in Western Washington, gave the TIPS group a tour of their facility and explained the pressing need for their services. It was an amazing opportunity to learn about hunger and poverty in our region and TIPS would like to thank Nikki Russel, Food Lifeline's volunteer coordinator, for her time and effort.
Over two hours, TIPS Interns repacked 30,127 pounds of food providing 23,536 meals for families in our community. Interns were incredibly moved by the tangible goals they had accomplished. After hours of work in the warehouse, the interns enjoyed the sunny day outside during lunch and announcements.
A special thanks to Nikki Russell and the staff of Foodlife Line for helping to make this day a success!
2005
On July 25, 2005 TIPS Interns and other TIPS supporters gathered at the Childhaven facility in Burien. TIPS interns were hard at work all day working on the grounds of Childhaven. The interns washed all of the Childhaven vans, inside and out. They landscaped and mowed all the lawns, and the interns washed all the outdoor toys and equipment. It was a huge job and the group did an excellent job making a major impact on the upkeep the entire facility. Way to go 2005 interns!
2004
On a sunny Saturday in July, 45 TIPS interns and over 15 volunteers participated in the TIPS Day of Service at ElderHealth Northwest. This group gathered together voluntarily, on one of the hottest days of the year, to improve the condition of the ElderHealth Jefferson Terrace facility that serves Seattle 's elderly population. The TIPS team cleaned, painted, picked up garbage, swept, worked on craft projects and helped with clerical duties.
Not only did TIPS interns & volunteers brighten the center with a fresh coat of paint, but the group also completed projects that would have taken many hours of staff time and agency resources. Rex, ElderHealth staff member, commended the TIPS teens:
"The TIPS team worked so fast that we accomplished twice what we hoped, even painting 3 extra rooms. Our elderly and disabled clients noticed how nice their space looks, compliments of the kids and other volunteers. Other things they did will allow the staff to do more for our clients."
A special thank you to the Sean & Betsy McCarthy Family and Domino's Pizza on Broadway for providing lunch for the entire group. Thank you to Seattle Seahawks Charitable Foundation and NFL Charities for funding the supplies, and thank you to TIPS Board Member, Annette Elsbree, for all of your hard work organizing the project! You all make the Northwest the great community it is.
Winter Service Projects:
Each winter TIPS brings together past interns, families and volunteers to participate in a project similar to the summer Day of Service. Our annual winter community service activities began in December 2001 and have aided foster families, hospitalized children, and community schools in need of supplies. Thank you to everyone who has helped make the TIPS Winter Service Projects so successful!
2007
On a Saturday morning in early February, TIPS staff and alumni gathered in West Seattle at Duwamish Greenbelt to help EarthCorps restore the largest greenbelt in Seattle . Interns worked to remove invasive species, planted new trees, and spread mulch. It was a great time for TIPS alumni to catch up and have fun serving the community. Thanks to our participants - Sarah Studer, Rachel Izzo, Sofia Penev, Philip Yovetich, Nina Brentlinger, Chelsea Stephens, Thuc-Chi Nguyen, and Hong Nguyen.
2004/2005
In early February, TIPS alumni, Board members, and other volunteers in the community rolled up their sleeves to prepare and serve dinner for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House. Located near Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House offers a home away from home for families of children being treated at the hospital.
Led by TIPS Board member, Annette Elsbree, the energetic group diced, chopped, grilled, sautéed, shredded and baked in order to make tacos and cookies for over 100 people at the Ronald McDonald House. Judy Adams, Volunteer Coordinator at RMH, commented on the service project, " The food was wonderful and the families had a great time. This past week has not been the easiest for our families so it was heartwarming to see them together enjoying themselves.
Tonight TIPS volunteers really did make a difference. Thank you for taking the time and putting in the effort to create such a wonderful dinner night!"
A big thank you to Annette Elsbree for organizing the project and to everyone who came to help out!
Leila Benirschke
Maureen Brotherton
Nan Brotherton
Judy and Jen Curran
Bronson Kolde and family
Manaswi Mamidala
Eric Morse
Sonia Rahm
Julianne Seubert and friends
Mary Shickich
Noah Tanabe
Mahsa Yeganeh
Tara Yogi
2003
Thank you to all who helped make the TIPS winter service project such a success! TIPS collected a large amount of school supplies, books, games, and other needed items for Miss Ryles' 3rd grade class at Park Orchard Elementary, a Title I school in the Kent School District . Park Orchard serves a diverse socioeconomic and racial/ethnic community and has a poverty rate of 56% based on free and reduced price meal participation. Because of the outpour of support received from the TIPS community, we were able to bring smiles to all of the children in the class. Thank you to all who contributed to the project.
2002
In December 2002, we partnered with Catholic Community Services once again. TIPS adopted two families and one foster teen. We'd like to thank all of our generous donors for helping us bring holiday cheer to these families in need!
2001
Our volunteers delivered 17 Christmas trees to families living in transitional housing shelters of St. Stephen's Housing Association in Kent and Auburn . Hunter Tree Farm generously donated the trees. Our volunteers represented all ages. Santa and his little helpers (volunteers Louis Brotherton, age 11, and Lizzie Elsbree, age 4) delivered gifts. Billy McKinney, Vice President of the Seattle Sonics and Storm, once again showed his generosity and good heart as he played the part, dressed in full regalia delivering children's books to the families. Louis presented Gingerbread men cookies and Lizzie carefully selected a stuffed animal for each child. The rest of the volunteers then delivered the trees along with the lights, tree stands, and ornaments including tree toppers.
We thank Catholic Community Services of Kent for connecting us with the shelters.