WCN begins monthly update columns

Hello from Wahkiakum Community Network! By writing to you monthly, we hope to reach out to the community and to keep you “In The Know” on the great things happening with our coalition and in our community. Our mission is to improve the lives of children and families in Wahkiakum County. Our vision is to represent Wahkiakum County citizens in attracting resources, give our communities the tools to help improve the lives of children and families and provide recommendations for policy changes to improve state and local services.

We have been an active coalition in Wahkiakum County since 1996. As of January, 2010 Wahkiakum Community Network has 20 volunteer board members and four alternates. We strive to have members representing all the various sectors of the community to ensure we are diverse in our views.

This month, we would like to recognize the great efforts of our youth who have contributed to Wahkiakum Community Network over the past year, which include Ashley Helms, Evelyn Clark, Shelby Felton, Andrew Weiler, Nicole Tarabochia, Chris Gonzalez, Abby Burns, Kari Schillios, Sara Niemela, and Jordyn Wirkkala. In 2009 alone, these high school students have volunteered a total of 402 hours helping us to achieve our mission. We are greatly appreciative of their efforts!

As we move into 2010, our Public Relations committees have been busy planning some great projects. We will be hosting our biennial Healthy Youth Summit in February and a Town Hall community meeting will follow it in March or April. During Prom Week, there will be a youth committee hosting a Drinking and Driving Prevention Pledge Drive at their school to reduce drinking and driving, and our county wide Bottle Tagging event will be held during graduation week in June to educate the community on the laws of providing alcohol to minors. Our members are currently brainstorming fundraising projects for Bald Eagle Days and Fair (last year we hosted the Mechanical Bull event as a joint fundraiser with the Fair Board). If you have any suggestions or wish to be involved in any of these great projects, please drop us a line!

Wahkiakum Community Network would like to solicit your help. We are developing a list of 100 Free Things To Do In Wahkiakum County. There are some great things to do here in our beautiful part of the country – a list like this will challenge the perception that there is “nothing to do” here! We want ideas for all ages, but especially youth and families. We have already had some great responses, but we need your ideas. Call us or email us with your suggestions!

If you would like more information on our coalition, feel free to call Tammy Peterson, PR Coordinator 795-0828, Lia Sealund, Director 795-8040, e-mail us wahkiakum@centurytel.net or contact any of our board members. We encourage you to visit our website at http://www.wahkiakumcommunitynetwork.org to learn more.