By Patty Rinehart
The North County Resistance group was incredibly proud of the turnout at our October 18th NO KINGS DAY! We welcomed 750 calm and peaceful participants in Manzanita, including our regular locals, new residents, visitors from Cannon Beach to Tillamook, and many guests. Thank you all for coming together and making the event a success!
We also extend our gratitude to everyone who helped the day run smoothly: those who kept a watchful eye on the crowd, assisted people in staying behind the barriers, Mr. Eagle Eye, volunteers helping with safe highway and street crossings, musicians and drummers, providers of muffins and fudge, and all who joined the downtown march. It truly felt like a festival of wonderful people.
To provide some context for recent protest participation numbers: according to the Invisible Team, April’s Hands Off Day saw an estimated 3 million participants nationwide, June’s No Kings Day had about 5 million participants across the country, and October’s No Kings Day reached approximately 7 million participants nationally. All these events, including ours, were committed to non-violence and remained peaceful demonstrations.
NOTE: North County Resistance will be back in Nehalem on Saturday October 25th – Please join our North County Resistance Group this coming Saturday, October 25 in Nehalem from noon to 2 PM. We need to protect health care, end the shutdown of our government, make sure people have enough food, stop the harassment of all our citizens, and do it in a peaceful manner. We need to keep up our commitment to non-violence while sending a message to our elected officials that we are not happy. More later.
As we celebrate our community’s engagement, we remain focused on key priorities: protecting health care, ending the shutdown, and ensuring families have enough to eat.
In addition to organizing peaceful demonstrations, North County Resistance is committed to supporting local organizations that strengthen our community. We aim to partner with established groups, including the North County Food Bank in Wheeler, Nehalem Bay Community Services in Nehalem, the Rockaway Beach Lions Club, and Meals for Seniors in Rockaway Beach. Here’s how these organizations make a difference—and how you can help:
Meals for Seniors, Inc. — Rockaway Beach: For over 20 years, their mission has been to help senior citizens of North Tillamook County remain independent by providing nutritious meals and social opportunities. Meals are served and delivered from the dining hall at St. Mary’s by the Sea Church on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Meals for Seniors is a federally designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID#90-0097197), serving over 12,000 meals per year. To support Meals for Seniors, please consider donating or volunteering—contact them at 503-317-8967 or send donations to PO Box 852, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136.
Rockaway Beach Lions Club: This group provides food baskets for families and seniors at Thanksgiving and Christmas. To contribute or get involved, reach out to Rockaway Beach Lions, PO Box 611, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136.
North County Food Bank — Wheeler: Currently operating at the former Rinehart Clinic site on the hill, the Food Bank is moving to a new location and recently closed its clothing bank. They especially need food donations for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Please call 503-368-7724 to learn about current needs or mail donations to NCFB, PO Box 162, Wheeler, Oregon 97141. Food and cash/check donations are gratefully accepted.
Nehalem Bay Community Services (NBCS): Formerly under the Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church, NBCS now operates independently as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID#93-4296849). They run the CHILD Program (providing clothing at the start of the school year and gifts at Christmas), Senior Lunches (served or delivered on Tuesday and Thursday), a food pantry, and a clothing bank. NBCS is open Monday, Friday, and Saturday. To support NBCS, send donations to NC, PO Box 232, Nehalem, Oregon 97131, and please note which project you wish to support.
Additionally, it is expected that Nehalem Grade School will collect food donations for children during school breaks at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will investigate this further and provide updates as available.
Thank you for helping to care for our community. Your support makes a real difference.