On November 7th the residents of Tillamook County will be asked for the 4th time to renew the five year tax levy to support the daily operations for programs and services of North County Recreation District (NCRD) in Nehalem. This is not a new tax, but a continuation of what our community has supported for the past 15 years.
I have been involved with Friends of NCRD, which is the non-profit partner of NCRD, since I retired from teaching and moved here in 2010. I believe in the Friends’ mission which is to support and promote the programs and services of NCRD because I believe in its mission to provide health and well-being services to all ages in North Tillamook County. In particular, I am proud that Friends of NCRD has always had the priority to raise funds for scholarships so that everyone is included and has access to the programs and services at NCRD. This year alone we have given $15,000 in scholarship assistance, the bulk of which went for youth access to child care and youth sports.
I have seen NCRD go through many changes and growth in services while keeping steadfast maintenance of the aging elementary school building. I have seen NCRD continue to survive through the pandemic, providing day care for first responder’s children, keeping close contact with health services for the benefit of all, providing covid test kits and appropriate precautions when opening back up. While many businesses and organizations dissolved, NCRD stayed vital for the community. And now, fitness classes and youth sports offerings have increased resulting in increased patronage.
Here are some other great things you may not know about NCRD.
Did you know that NCRD is an official Red Cross emergency shelter site complete with cots and emergency power and supplies ready to accommodate the community in a major emergency? This is different from Warming centers that are available through local churches.
Did you know that NCRD has an agreement with Nehalem Bay Health Clinic (formerly Rinehart Clinic) for NCRD to provide physical exercise opportunities for their patients dealing with health related issues.
Did you know that the “Learn to Swim” program offered at NCRD is certified by the Red Cross?
There are so many good things happening at NCRD that I’m definitely voting “Yes for NCRD”.
Linda Makohon
President, Friends of NCRD