On Friday, volunteers returned WestSide Baby for a day of service. WestSide Baby was one of the first organizations the PVs worked with in Seattle and have continued work with them each spring. WestSide Baby is a nonprofit organization that collects previously owned items for children and babies and distributes them free of charge to King County families in need. In years past, the PVs have helped with their car seat recycling program, sorting clothes, unloading diapers, organizing and even painting a room. This year we were tasked with filling orders that partner agencies requested. We would be give a child’s name, age and size and go around the warehouse and pull needed items for the child. This included clothes, diapers, car seats, toys and books. Once the order was completed it was placed on a shelf ready for pick up. We worked in pairs and by the time we were ready to go, we were able to fill orders for more than 25 different kids that live in King County. We all had a great time and were once again impressed with all the wonderful work WestSide Baby does to help children in need.

Will you teach your children what we have taught our children? That the earth is our mother? What befalls the earth befalls all the sons of the earth. This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself. One thing we know: our god is also your god. The earth is precious to him and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its creator.

The PVs returned to Mary’s Place today where we spent the morning and early afternoon preparing what was to become dinner for the families, women, and children, who are a part of the programming offered through Mary’s place.  We chopped peppers and onions, prepared sausages for cooking, sliced those same sausages, and combined all of the tasty ingredients with a delicious marinara sauce.  Some of us took the liberty to sample the product and it was might tasty.  In the kitchen, we talked, laughed, and worked alongside the staff, volunteers, and Empower U Interns.  The Empower U Internship program provides a  three-month internship for Mary’s Place guests to earn a small stipend as well as to learn valuable job skills.  To read more about the great work being done at Mary’s place, check out their website http://www.marysplaceseattle.org.

Today the volunteers spent time at St. Frances House in Seattle. St. Francis House “is established in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi to be a presence in Seattle to serve those in need and to inspire simplicity and charity in its volunteers and those they serve.” This is the 4th year that the PVs partnered with St. Francis House. Some volunteers were stationed up front to welcome the guests and offer them coffee and food while they waited for further assistance. Others were positioned in rooms to help people find clothing and shoes for themselves or other family members. Guests could also receive housewares, linens, pack packs, toiletries, etc. upon request. There were volunteers sorting and organizing all of these items for easy pickup. The PVs helped in all these areas alongside their long-time committed volunteer staff. It really is impressive how much they do and how many people are helped by Francis House in so many different ways. We were happy to be a part of it, even if only for one day.

Today the volunteers worked at Mary’s Place in their Day Center kitchen. Mary’s Place, as they state on their website, is “a leading voice for homeless women, children, and families in emergency situations. We empower families to reclaim their lives by offering community, acceptance, hope and dignity. Our work keeps struggling families together and provides practical tools and resources that help them find housing and employment. We inspire the community to support homeless women, children, and families through advocacy, partnerships, volunteerism and philanthropy.” Volunteers chopped fruit and vegetables, for salads being served at lunch in the Day Center, and made meatloaf and diced potatoes that would be served for dinner at their several shelter locations. Mary’s Place is able to provide 450 places for homeless families in the area. The food prepared today will feed those people. It was a wonderful day interacting with the kitchen staff and each other, listening and sharing stories.

For the 5th consecutive year, the PVs will be spending the week in and around Seattle, working with local agencies and learning more about the issues that plague those struggling in the community. This year we have an group of 10 local volunteers that will be participating at the different sites. We will update during the week about our various activities. Please follow along and keep the volunteers in your thoughts.

Building, serving, believing…..PV Volunteers.

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It is a relationship between equals.

Pema Chodron

Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage,not weakness.

Katherine Henson

The world would be a happier, more peaceful place if we all tried to understand instead of judging, paused before reacting, and gave each other the benefit of the doubt instead of assuming the worst.

Lori Deschene

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

~Anne Bradstreet