The North County COVID-19 Business Relief Campaign put together by Fulcrum Community Resources and Manzanita Visitor’s Center has been operating for over a month. We have gotten a healthy response from businesses and people who are self-employed in Manzanita, Nehalem and Wheeler applying for help. We have been extremely blessed with a number of generous donations totaling around $30,000 to this point. This has allowed us to distribute three rounds of checks to applicants in our three villages, the most recent being on May 8. The board of Fulcrum extends a heartfelt thanks to all of our donors to this point.
However, the need continues to heavily outweigh donations to this point, so we are asking for your help. Fulcrum will continue to accept applications and issue checks to the extent that there are funds to be distributed. Can you make a donation, small or large to help them weather this unprecedented economic crisis? If you have received your stimulus check and can afford to pass some or all of it on, please consider doing so. Manzanita Mayor Mike Scott and his wife Phyllis contributed their entire stimulus relief checks. Fulcrum has also applied for a grant from Oregon Community Foundation who has set up a special fund to help nonprofits help businesses and sent a letter to Tillamook County Creamery Association who recently dedicated 4 million dollars to COVID-19 aid. We continue to await word on both of these requests.
Our community prides itself on extending a helping hand to one another in tough times. Any amount that you can afford will do its part to help our businesses in Manzanita, Nehalem and Wheeler stay in business. Many of us rely on them directly or indirectly for our income. We locals are loyal customers but there just aren’t enough of us. We understand that your personal economics are also probably impacted by this pandemic and we hope you will still consider giving what you can. Every drop helps. United, we can make our own positive impact for the benefit of our local small businesses and self-employed residents who are in dire need at this time. Comments from some of our recipients illustrate just how vital your help has been to this point:
“Thanks for your generous donation to help keep my business alive during this bleak financial time. with much gratitude.”
“Thank you so much for helping me out, as well as many other members of the community! It is very much appreciated.”
“I want to thank you so much for the check to support my local business. While the federal government has thus far provided no support, it warms my heart to know i have the support of my community.”
If you would like to donate there are two easy ways to do so.
By check: Please make check out to Fulcrum Community Resources with North County Business Relief in the memo line. You can send it to Fulcrum Community Resources, PO Box 136, Nehalem, OR 97131. Or you can go into the Manzanita branch of Columbia Bank and let them know you want to make a deposit to Fulcrum Community Resource’s account.
Online: Please visit the website of the Manzanita Visitors Center at http://exploremanzanita.com/donate/
Another way you can help businesses is to buy local gift certificates now for use in the future. Check out the website of your favorite places. Or if you need help getting their contact information send an email to Dan Haag at the Manzanita Visitors Center, one of our partners in this endeavor, at info@exploremanzanita.com
Fulcrum Community Resources is a 5013c nonprofit so your donations are tax deductible. Its mission is to Foster the transition of the Nehalem Bay community to a sustainable future. Visit us at www.fulcrumresources.org/. A committee consisting of Fulcrum Community Resources board members and other locals will distribute the funds as equitably as possible among the businesses who apply for relief.
Questions? Please email Barbara McLaughlin at barbaraandchuck@nehalemtel.net
(Photo: Naya Dribinski)