Almost 60 years ago, some residents in McMicken Heights, just east of Sea-Tac International Airport, set out to improve their neighborhood.
They formed the McMicken Heights Community Club in 1949 and with their own hands built a clubhouse. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and numerous organizations used the building through the years.
Next, they went door-to-door to raise funds that brought streetlights to their neighborhood.
Back then, these neighborhood improvement clubs were the hub of their communities before television came along.
There were 32 such clubs in south King County. They held formal dances and crowned a queen.
In its heyday, the McMicken club boasted 600 members. Sixteen members served on the club's board and chaired committees that got things done in the community.
But now, McMicken Heights is part of the city of SeaTac, which provides many of the neighborhood's services.
And residents are more likely to be watching television at night than attending meetings.
So the remaining members decided to disband and sell the clubhouse.
Last week, club members contributed the $600,000 they earned to improve the lives of local students through three organizations.
Seattle Christian School Foundation in SeaTac received $270,000; the Puget Sound Skills Center Foundation, $180,000; and the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence, $150,000.
Seattle Christian, a private school located at 18301 Military Road South, will use the funds for student scholarships. Like the community club, the school is about 60 years old.
McMicken Heights club members had been aware of the Sea-Tac Occupational Center for many years. However, last year when the center began the process of changing its name to the Puget Sound Skills Center, Robinson Newspapers began running a year-long series of public service advertisements about the center's programs.
Advertising representative Sheila Lengle and publisher Jerry Robinson spearheaded the free ads.
Club members read about the programs in the Highline Times/Des Moines News/SeaTac News and called center staffers suggesting they apply for the donation.
The skills center recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.
The Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence was established in 2001. The private foundation contributes funds for programs in the Highline School District.
