Community members, business leaders and philanthropists are invited to local nonprofit Cares of Washington’s annual Opening Doors, Changing Lives reception Saturday, May 14, 2016 in support of people with disabilities and low incomes in the Puget Sound region.

Held at the Pacific Tower in Seattle from 7 to 10 p.m., the reception will raise funds for the organization’s job training and placement services. Former University of Washington football alum Mario Bailey will keynote.

“I’m thrilled to be involved with Cares of Washington,” says Bailey, who spent years playing in the NFL and now works in youth outreach for King County. “Services provided by organizations like Cares of Washington are the only way many people in our community can get the skills they need to get out of a difficult living situation.”

There are nearly 900,000 people in Washington state living below the poverty line, many who lack enough resources to withstand a personal or economic crisis.

“A minimum wage job without benefits falls far short of what is needed to break the cycle of poverty,” says Lars Nowack, CEO of Cares of Washington. “To achieve long-term self-sufficiency for themselves and their families, individuals must secure a living wage job with a career pathway.”

Over the last five years, more than 80 percent of the people who accessed coaching, placement and retention services through Cares of Washington secured a job with an average wage of $14, nearly five dollars more than the current state minimum wage.

The Opening Doors, Changing Lives reception will feature multiple speakers, including people who have benefited from Cares of Washington services, a silent auction and live music by the Paul Sawtelle Duo.

People interested in attending the event can register at www.caresofwa.org. Those that can’t attend can support Cares of Washington’s efforts by texting CARES to 243725, and can follow the event virtually with #ChangingLivesWA.

Families and community members are invited to build a free disaster preparedness starter kit, as well as learn other ways to keep themselves and their families safe in a disaster, at the Fremont Fair this Saturday, June 20.

Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, and The Allstate Foundation have launched a nationwide, 14-city tour to help Americans get ‘good and ready’ for a disaster. This is the annual tour’s first time in Seattle, where local volunteer organization Seattle Works will be on-hand to help residents get prepared.

In the last 10 years, nearly 255 million people worldwide were affected by disasters and since 1980, weather-related disasters have increased by more than 230 percent.

“Disaster prep is essential, especially for people in the Puget Sound region,” says Jessica Frederick, development and communications manager at Seattle Works. “Experts have long predicted a large-scale Seattle earthquake and unfortunately, the risk of another landslide like the tragedy in Oso makes this issue very real for our community. A preparedness kit is a proactive way to make sure you have supplies on hand if a disaster occurs.”

Seattleites can stop by the ‘Good and Ready’ booth, located on 35th Street between Phinney and 1st Ave, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday to make a free starter kit for their family. Each kit includes first aid supplies, a flashlight, a water bottle and other items proven to keep people safe in a disaster.

“Although it’s difficult to think about, a disaster could occur in any community at any time across the globe,” says Cathy Darracott, local Allstate agent and ‘Good and Ready’ representative. “Many people—85 percent in fact—aren’t prepared. Our campaign and tour aims to help communities take charge and be less vulnerable in the event of a sudden disaster. Creating a kit for you and your family is step one.”

Seattle, chosen for its urgent need, is the sixth stop on this year’s ‘Good and Ready’ tour. People interested in supporting the campaign, or following the tour virtually, can use hashtag #GoodandReady on June 20.

“Getting ready for a disaster doesn’t happen overnight,” says Colleen Clay, vice president of disaster services at Points of Light. “It takes time to help ensure you and your loved ones are prepared. Make your kit and visit GoodandReady.org for more tips on preparing for the unexpected.”

Seattle residents are being asked to take part in a friendly recycling competition June 22-26 to help their neighborhood be dubbed the “Greenest Seattle Neighborhood.”

Call2Recycle, North America’s first and largest consumer battery stewardship and recycling program, is partnering with The Seattle Public Library to put battery collection boxes at six different branches, including the Capitol Hill branch at 425 Harvard Ave. E. The neighborhood whose box weighs the most will be crowned the greenest in Seattle. Boxes will be weighed at Call2Recycle’s collection event June 28 at Westlake Park with the help of local celebrity John Curley.

“We want to know which Seattle neighborhood can gather the most batteries,” says Jennifer Childress, director of marketing and communications for Call2Recycle. “After you drop off batteries, make sure to tweet us at @Call2Recycle so we can say thank you.”

Drop batteries and cell phones to the Capitol Hill library June 22-26.

Call2Recycle will accept all types of household batteries (weighing up to 11 pounds each), including both single-use batteries and rechargeable batteries commonly found in laptops and digital cameras. Old cell phones can also be dropped off at the library for recycling.

“The Seattle Public Library is happy to be involved,” says Chance Hunt, assistant director of community partnerships and government relations. “We’re excited to see how many batteries Seattleites can donate for recycling, and to find out which neighborhood truly is the greenest.”

More details about the June 28 Battery Recycle Day event, which will feature live music, celebrity John Curley, and prize drawings, can be found at call2recycle.org/takecharge.