By Laura Swanson
The seventh annual Tillamook County Giving Guide is in every mailbox in Tillamook County this week. The Guide features profiles of over 45 nonprofits and includes a list of over 120 organizations that are doing amazing charitable work in our communities. The Giving Guide is distributed to encourage year-end giving, and to provide information about the valuable resources and services available from the diversity of organizations. There are many ways to give, and so much good work throughout the county.
Interested in animals? Check out Animal Haven by the Sea, Tillamook Animal Shelter or Tillamook K9 Rescue. Organizations that support children – Bay City Arts Center, CASA, Coast Kids, CHILD and many more. Seniors – we have information about Senior Meals Programs in North County, Rockaway Beach and Tillamook. Health, Environment, Recreation, Social Services – there truly is something for everyone. Their missions cover all the sectors of our society: health and wellness, sustainability, environment, conservation, food security, women, children, animals, and arts and cultural. One of the most valuable things you can give is your time. Volunteering will also provide well-being benefits that “something missing” connection to your community.
All things connect and the 2023 Tillamook County Giving Guide provides many opportunities to connect with your community to support with your dollars and your time, these vitally important organizations. Your generosity is needed and appreciated!
The “Tree of Life” paintings featured on the cover, and throughout the Giving Guide, are from Sitka Center’s Youth Program and visually show how we are all connected to each other, our community, and to nature.
We know the people who people our local nonprofits work hard to provide a wide variety of services, that enhance our lives here in Tillamook County. Besides their various services, our local nonprofits add other value to our community by providing jobs, a trained and inclusive workforce, volunteer opportunities, internships and training, and places and events where we gather socially. And more subtly, but no less importantly, because they work together, they are helping to create a culture of collaboration, partnerships and communication.
How about a donation in the name of your family member or friend to a local nonprofit? Or a membership in one of the organizations that will give your gift recipient all kinds of benefits throughout the next year? The donation will benefit many in our community.
Here is YOUR opportunity to give back. Donate time or money or simply share these valuable resources and services with those that need them. If you don’t see your favorite nonprofit on a page, check the list, and if you don’t see a local nonprofit please contact us to add it to the online list. We thank you in advance for your support of our local nonprofits that enrich our lives and community!
Fulcrum Community Resources’ (fulcrumresources.org) mission is to foster the transition of the Nehalem Bay community to a sustainable future. Our volunteer group initiates and coordinates local programs in north Tillamook County on the north Oregon Coast. We also sponsor others’ projects that fit with our mission and goals. We see Fulcrum, not as a hub, but as an enabling node – one of many groups locally who are organizing and creating projects. Our guiding philosophy is that the most effective and innovative projects are initiated at the grassroots community level.
The Tillamook County Giving Guide is produced in partnership with Fulcrum Community Resources, and Tillamook County Pioneer. The Giving Guide is mailed to every address in Tillamook County around the Thanksgiving holiday. Additional copies are available at Tillamook County Library branches and other locations throughout Tillamook County. It is available online at the Tillamook County Pioneer (https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Giving-Guide_2023_for_Web.pdf) or North Coast BBQ (www.northcoastbbq.com).