Columbia City: Reaching out on Rainier Ave South

by Izzy Marvin

Izzy had the opportunity to do outreach work with Kris Gulbran in Columbia City on Wednesday, July 12. Since Kris grew up in this area, she was very familiar with where the best spots to go would be.

The ladies distributed sample copies of The Christian Science Monitor Weekly mainly up and down the Rainier Avenue South main drag and many side streets. Columbia City was a great location for outreach distribution due to a large amount and variety of businesses being close together and all being placed on one long strip. There were many “ma and pa” style businesses in this area, which also assisted in the success of placing gift subscriptions. In addition to the usual 100 sample copies being distributed, Izzy and Kris placed four gift subscriptions.

Izzy learned that the best spots for outreach in Columbia City are oriental food locations but not stores. Izzy went into a Spanish grocery store and the man at the counter did not accept a gift subscription because his audience does not speak English well. This was a very important encounter because it helped demonstrate further what kind of businesses like to have the Monitor Weekly.

The ladies also took a few minutes out of their distribution to see the building that had previously been a Christian Science church, Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, Seattle, at the intersection of Rainier Avenue South and South Alaska Streets. It is now the Rainier Valley Cultural Center.

It was amazing to have Kris volunteer to work with Izzy for outreach work since she is such a busy woman. Thank you so much for helping out, Kris!  

Kris Gulbran had this to add to the outreach report:

I have lived most of my life in the Mt. Baker area of Seattle.  Columbia City is our local business district, just south of our residential neighborhood.  It has changed a lot over the years with tremendous growth, new stores, and great restaurants.  I loved my day with Izzy:  connecting with my community, seeing the new businesses that sprouted up, and learning more about Izzy as we enjoyed a tasty lunch at Geraldine's in Columbia City. Over these last two summers, Izzy has become a seasoned veteran in her role of presenting the opportunity to local businesses to obtain a free gift subscription to The Christian Science Monitor Weekly.  She is very personable, professional, and utterly fearless and confident in her delivery.  These skills will come in handy regardless of what she plans to do after graduation.