by Shaun Knittel - SGN Associate Editor

June is LGBTQ Pride month and at Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) we believe that means it is Pride month for all of us - and that includes LGBTQ homeless teens and Allies. Last year, SOSea's Volunteer Coordinator Eileen O'Brien founded a news program called FROM THE HEART. The program is our homeless outreach program and, in particular, homeless LGBTQ teens are at the most in need. You and I, we, can help so we do just that. The cause is worthy. The 40% homeless LGBTQ youth need us and we need your help to make a greater impact.

Currently SOSea's FROM THE HEART PROGRAM is accepting items for our annual summer Pride outreach to LGBTQ teens. On Saturday, SOSea will table at the annual Seattle Pride Picnic in Volunteer Park from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Homeless youth, or low income youth are encouraged to find our table (it is clearly marked with giant banners) and we gift them (1) Pride Swag bag that includes Pride gear like a rainbow Pride flag, beads, and more, as well as a sack lunch, bottled water, and a personal hygiene pack. We give away 100 of these each summer. Please consider donating to the cause.

SOSea holds donation drives twice, per year. Once in June for Pride and then in December for Christmas. Here is a list of supplies being collected at this time:

Drawstring backpacks, sanitary items (travel size) hand sanitizer, wipes, travel size first aid kit, toiletries (travel size), shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, floss, toothbrush, mouth wash, soap, Q -Tips, hair brush, comb, chap stick, sun screen, first aid kit (travel size), water bottle, lotion, hand warmers, foot warmers, socks, gloves, underwear; boxers for boys (including plus size), underwear for girls (including plus sizes), blankets, sleeping bag, gift cards, Orca bus pass cards, and more.

We are also accepting gently worn or new summer or warm weather clothing (shorts, T-shirt, etc.).

These items do not have to be all the same brand, i.e., Pantene shampoo, Herbal Essence etc. Soap is soap. If you don't have the time to get these items, we can pick up the items from you or we can go get the items from money you donate. If you are a business, organization, club, and you want to be involved, send us your logo and contact information and we will give the proper credit to those who have helped; as well as a donation receipt. The week of Pride, SOSea will donate items to Lambert House, YouthCare, and more.

To set up a donation time or to have questions answered send us email at SocialOutreachSeattle@gmail.com and to donate cash, which is greatly needed to keep this program impactful, please go to www.SocialOutreachSeattle.com and select the DONATE tab and follow the prompts to a safe and secure donation! Any amount helps. Happy Pride!

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