Island adults invited to take VARSA’s annual community survey
Every year, as part of its grant requirements, the Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA) asks islanders to take a community survey. The information gathered is used to gauge community attitudes and respond to underage substance use issues Vashon faces.
The survey is available in English and Spanish at varsanetwork.org/survey2017 and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Answers are anonymous and confidential and will be reported only combined with other responses.
“This is your opportunity to weigh in on the issues that our teens face daily,” VARSA Grants Coordinator Lisa Bruce said in an email. “We use the data from this survey to inform our decisions on programs and support for our youth, and when looking at grant opportunities.”
VARSA will also hold its monthly coalition meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Vashon Library. This meeting will include a holiday celebration, and attendees are invited to wear an ugly holiday sweater. The public is welcome.
Boxes come out this week for John L. Scott annual toy drive
On Friday, boxes for the John L. Scott holiday toy drive will appear at businesses in town, and islanders are encouraged to fill them with new, unwrapped toys for children ages infant to 18.
Boxes will be at Thriftway, Island Market IGA, Ace Hardware, OCCU, U.S. Bank, Island Lumber, Vashon Pharmacy and the Eagles. Toy drive organizer Joyce Smith said gift cards and items for teens are always most needed. Pajamas, coats, gloves, hats and personal care items are also in demand.
Monetary donations for Vashon Youth & Family Services will be collected by John L. Scott. Mail checks to John L. Scott Vashon, PO Box 2009, Vashon, WA 98070.
The toy drive provided gifts for 197 children last year and has been a holiday tradition for the past 30 years.
Distribution will occur from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Sunrise Ridge.
Bunker Trail sewer construction, north-end road closures to continue
One lane of 103rd Avenue near the north-end ferry terminal will remain closed while King County Wastewater installs new equipment for the Bunker Trail sewer upgrade project.
The project has been ongoing since July and is expected to continue into next summer. Work hours are weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. No work will be conducted on holidays.
Annie Kolb-Nelson, communications specialist for King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division, said last summer that the pumps that send wastewater from homes along Bunker Trail to the county’s Vashon Treatment Plant are 20 years old and need to be repaired due to corrosion.
For more information, call King County’s Bibiana Ocheke-Ameh at 206-477-5604.
