West Seattle Helpline celebrates 25 years, chooses new executive director

Much to celebrate tonight at the West Seattle Helpline Founders’ Day Dinner. In honor of the emergency-assistance agency’s 25th anniversary, founders, supporters, and current leaders gathered for dinner at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) – among them, Kate Stannard, just chosen as WS Helpline’s ninth executive director, who paused for a photo with board president Brooks Riendl:

A thumbnail history of the Helpline notes that its inspiration started with the late Queen Anne Thriftway owner Dick Rhodes starting the Queen Anne Helpline in the 1980s, and wanting to do something similar in West Seattle when he opened Admiral Thriftway a few years later. The three organizers of the first planning meeting – Maureen Hersholt, Gregg Hersholt, and Phil Talmadge – were among the 20-plus guests at tonight’s dinner.

P.S. Here’s how you can help the Helpline and its thousands of clients – buy tickets to its ultra-popular, ultra-tasty fundraiser Taste of West Seattle, coming up May 15th.

Kari April 22, 2014 (8:48 am)

$50 for unlimited samples of food and beverages and a chance to spend time with neighbors for a good cause, sounds fun!

I see that Underwater Sports is auctioning off scuba diving lessons, what a great prize!

coffee April 22, 2014 (9:08 am)

YEA for Kate! She is a wonderful person and will be a perfect fit for the agency!

metrognome April 22, 2014 (12:48 pm)

congrats to West Seattle Helpline for providing much needed assistance for 25 years. Kudos also to Maureen and Gregg; nice to see former classmates from Bing Crosby’s alma mater on the banks of the lovely Spokane River doing such great work in our community.

Sorry, comment time is over.